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

Yonkers, NY — Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $7.70) again proved best Friday night (Sept. 23), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Tessa Seelster takes Friday evening’s main event at Yonkers Raceway.

In play from her ‘inside’ post position five as posts five through eight were drawn, Tessa Seelster easily worked around pole-sitting, slight 2-1 favorite Devil Child (Eric Goodell). After a :27.3 opening quarter-mile, a :29.1 second substation with a :56.4 intermission. served her well.

Secret’s Out N (Tyler Buter) took out of fourth and was originally pacing in place. She did eventually make steady advances in and out of a 1:24.1 three-quarters, though the leader maintained a 1-1/4 length advantage entering the lane. ‘Tessa’ found the wire a half-length before Devil Child in 1:51.3. Secret’s Out N held third, with Rock N Roll Xample (Dan Dube) and Tipitina (Brent Holland) settling for the minors.

For third choice Tessa Seelster, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, it was her ninth win in 19 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $24.80, with the triple returning $121.

Saturday’s (Sept. 24) card is enveloped by the 27th New York Night of Champions, which is the $1.8 million culmination of the Sire Stakes season. The Empire State’s richest night of racing features eight $225,000 events for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

They go as the first eight races during the 13-race card, with first post the usual 7:10 p.m.