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

Yonkers, NY — A resurgent Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $10) proved best Friday night (Sept. 16), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Tessa Seelster holds off all comers to capture the featured event at Yonkers Raceway.

Away fourth from her assigned post position six, ‘Tessa’ saw pole-sitting Jungle Genie N (Brent Holland) seat everyone early. ‘Genie’ paid a :27.1 price for the privilege before 11-10 favorite Rock N Roll Xample (Dan Dube) made her second move. Leaving into a three-hole, she went by Jungle Genie N right at the quarter-mile, then led the ladies through a :55.4 intermission.

Tessa Seelster then made her second move, out to engage the fave down the backside. Rock N Roll Xample continued to lead in and out of a 1:24 three-quarters, where it appeared she put her stalker away. The lead was a 1-1/2 lengths in and out of the final turn, but Rock N Roll Xample was about to fade from the scene. Tessa Seelster found renewed life, though, getting the better of Jungle Genie N by a length in 1:52.2.

Mach It A Par (Brian Sears), last of the seven entering the lane, rallied for third, with Secret’s Out N (Tyler Buter) and Al Raza N (Mark MacDonald) rounding out the payees. Rock N Roll Xample tired to sixth.

For second 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 eighth win in 18 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $144, with the triple returning $574.