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

Yonkers, NY — A pocketed Set Me Up (George Brennan, $11) was indeed set up Friday night (Feb. 3), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Set Me Up captures the feature at Yonkers Raceway on Friday night for her 33rd career triumph.

In play from post position two, Set Me Up made the first lead before handing the baton to outside leaver Bettor N Better (Jason Bartlett). That one led through intervals of :27.3 and :57.1. The second backside appearance saw Hidden Land (Jeff Gregory) moved first-up from fifth, with Empress Deo (Matt Kakaley) behind that one.

Bettor N Better maintained her lead in and out of the 1:25.2 three-quarters, with a 1-1/2 length advantage off the final turn. However, she was about to go off the rails, but not before carrying Set Me Up into the passing lane.

The latter ducked inside and prevailed by a half-length in 1:54.1. Second went to a season-debuting Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron), who found herself buried alive as the 8-5 choice before finding her best stride—and a place to pace—too late.

Motu Moonbeam N (Mark MacDonald), Hidden Land and Empress Deo rounded out the payees, while Bettor N Better tired to last among the seven lasses.

For second choice Set Me Up, an 8-year-old daughter of Shark Gesture co-owned, as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, it was her first win in three seasonal starts and the 33rd in a career which now includes banking a half-million dollars.

The exacta paid $34.80, with the triple returning $114.