by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Regil Elektra (Jason Bartlett, $6.20) plotzed into an early pocket and it served her well Friday night (July 7), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.
In play from post position three, Regil Elektra was able to get in behind pole-sitting Frost Damage Blues (Brian Sears), then stalk the 11-10 favorite around a moist oval (:27.3, :56.2, 1:24, season’s-best 1:52.2).

Georgia Panagi photo

Regil Elektra wins the Friday evening feature at Yonkers in a season’s best 1:52.2.

Frost Damage Blues, off three weeks after her Canadian stakes engagement, seated everyone early before getting grief from a first-up Mach It A Par (Brent Holland). She put away that stubborn lass, taking a length lead into the lane.

However, she wilted late, as Regil Elektra edged inside to win by three-quarters of a length. Frost Damage Blues saved second, third went to a second-up Lispatty (George Brennan), while Betabcool N (Steve Smith) and Mach It A Par settled for the remainder.

For second choice Regil Elektra, a 7-year-old daughter of Mach Three owned by Fred Monteleone Stable and trained by Keith Armer, it was her eighth win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $15.80, the triple returned $39.20 and the superfecta paid an even $200.

Saturday night (July 8), the Raceway offers three, $25,000 eliminations for the Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace for 2-year-old colts/geldings. The leading freshman, the first two in each elim, plus the two fastest third-placers, return for the $110,500 finale next Saturday (July 15).