by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — I Said Diamonds (Matt Kakaley, $7) went up and over laboring lasses Friday night (June 16), winning, at first seasonal purse asking, Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

I Said Diamonds wins the Friday Yonkers feature by 4-1/4 lengths.

This was the first local live program since a May 28 matinee and debuted the new start/finish line, which shortened the stretch by some 105 feet from 660 to 555 feet.

Unhurried from post position four, I Said Diamonds settled sixth as Beyonces Rockn (Jason Bartlett) made short work of an assigned eight-hole. That one made the lead after paying a :27, opening-quarter price for the privilege.

Beyonces Rockn was not in a giving mood, hanging Petticoat Series winner Cousin Mary (Jordan Stratton) in her attempt for the lead. A :55.1 intermission over a ‘good’ surface that had taken on some water put the closers in play.

Down the backside, Lispatty (Mark MacDonald), as the 3-2 choice, went three-deep, but I Said Diamonds went deeper and much faster. The latter grabbed the lead passing a 1:24.1 three-quarters, then widened.

She opened 3-1/2 lengths off the final turn, whipping Lispatty by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Hidden Land (Brian Sears), Delightful Dragon (Brent Holland) and Freeze Out (George Brennan) settled for the minor awards.

For second choice I Said Diamonds, a now-4-year-old daughter of Well Said owned by A Piece of the Action Stable and trained by Matias Ruiz, she entered off a six-win, $304,000 season as a sophomore. The exacta paid $27.60, the triple returned $142.50 and the superfecta paid $400.50.

Holland won two races, moving him to within three of the 5,000-win plateau.