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

Yonkers, NY — Lily’s Swan Pond (George Brennan, $25) was a three-hole terror Sunday afternoon (Dec. 18) winning Yonkers Raceway’s season-ending 1-1/4 mile, $56,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Chris Brokate photo

Lily’s Swan wins the final featured trotting contest of the 2016 season at Yonkers Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

While a few of the nine participants—including 9-5 choice Hemi Seelster (Jason Bartlett)—misbehaved over the moist surface, ‘Lily’ had no such issues. From post position three, he sat behind Not Afraid (Dan Dube) and Springbank Sam N (Jordan Stratton) though early intervals of :28.2 and :57.4. Bentley Spur (Joe Bongiorno), one of the back markers, tried it first-up from sixth toward a 1:27.2 three-quarters, but couldn’t sustain a bid.

By the 1:56.4 milepost, this was a three-horse affair. Not Afraid owned a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane, but holiday company was coming. Lily’s Swan Pond angled crisply out during the final turn and went up and over the two rivals in front of him. He rolled past, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:27.2.

Not Afraid saved second over Springbank Sam N, with Tornado Tim (Brent Holland) and a recovering Caulfield (Matt Kakaley) settling for the remainder.

For fifth choice Lily’s Swan Pond, a 4-year-old Swan for All gelding owned by Second Chance Stable and trained by Nick Surick, it was his fifth win in 33 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $118.50, with the triple returning $474.

The season’s final installment of the “New York, New York Double’ offered a 1-I’masuperstar (Aqueduct’s third race) and 4-Luck o’ the Irish (our second race) winning combination, which returned $25.50 for every correct dollar wager. Total pool was $4,169.

The Raceway’s 2017 season is scheduled to begin with a Sunday (Jan. 8) matinee post time TBA, pending approval of the New York State Gaming Commission.

As another reminder, Yonkers is completely dark for all racing wagering Monday (Dec. 19) through Wed. (Dec. 28) inclusive.