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

Yonkers, NY — Wrangler Magic (Daniel Dube, $16.60), who twice burned money as the favorite against less-talented lasses, was on the money Friday night (Jan. 27), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Wrangler Magic was a 1:54.3 winner for driver Daniel Dube.

Unhurried from post position No. 5, Wrangler Magic saw a three-wide Empress Deo (Scott Zeron) pay a :26.3 price for the early lead.

After a :56 intermission, 9-5 choice Hidden Land (Brent Holland) — looped at the outset then stuffed into a four-hole — made her second move. She engaged Empress Deo in and out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters, with the eventual winner gapping from second-over. Empress Deo owned a tenuous lead entering the lane.

A slow (:29.4) final quadrant helped the field close ranks, with Wrangler Magic winning the scrum by a neck in 1:54.3. Motu Moonbeam N (Mark MacDonald), who had every chance up the inside from the pocket, was second, with a course-altering Set Me Up (George Brennan), Empress Deo and Delightful Dragon (Matt Kakaley) settling for the minors as the payees were separated by 1-3/4 lengths at the finish. Hidden Land wound up sixth.

For fourth choice Wrangler Magic, a 5-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned as Allard Racing by trainer Rene Allard and Kapildeo Singh, it was her first win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $99.50, with the triple returning $341.