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

Yonkers, NY — Slight favorite Bettor N Better (Jason Bartlett, $7.20) lasted—barely—Friday night (Jan. 20), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Bettor N Better captures her first win of 2017 on Friday evening at Yonkers Raceway.

In play from post position four, a one-notch improvement after an inside scratch, Bettor N Better was able to get around pole-assigned Set Me Up (George Brennan) before a moist :28.2 opening quarter-mile.

After a rated :57.3 intermission, Hidden Land (Brent Holland) tried it from fourth. That did not go well down the backside and in and out of a 1:25.2 three-quarters. Bettor N Better owned a 1-3/4 length lead off the final turn then held sway, whipping Set Me Up by a nostril in 1:54.2.

Delightful Dragon (Dan Dube) was a three-hole third, with a rallying Empress Deo (Scott Zeron) and Hidden Land settling for the minor moolah.

For Bettor N Better, a now-5-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by Bamond Racing and trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr., it was her first win in a pair of a seasonal starts. The exacta paid $97, with the triple returning $161.50.