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

Yonkers, NY — Pocketed Mach It A Par (Brian Sears, $7) edged past pacesetting Tessa Seelster (George Brennan) in mid-stretch Friday night (May 13), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Mach It A Par was a 1:52.2 winner on Friday.

The field, pared to a half-dozen after outside assignee Krispy Apple came up injured, saw Tessa Seelster — last week’s victress — once again do her damage on the lead. The 3-4 choice worked around pole-sitting Mach It A Par, then led through moist intervals of :28.1 and :57.1.

Down the backside, Mosquito Blue Chip (Dan Dube) made a brief move from third, then ducked back in, leaving those honors to Pasultimatedelite N (Jordan Stratton). That one challenged Tessa Seelsster in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, with the leader owning a 1-1/2 length advantage into the lane.

However, Mach It A Par was sizing her up and picking her off, slipping out and winning by that same 1-1/2 length margin in a season’s-best 1:52.2. Mosquito Blue Chip was third, with Pasultimatedelite N and Know It All (Eric Abbatiello) earning the final two envelopes. Regil Elektra (Tyler Buter) brought up the rear.

When the dust settled, the six lasses finished in post position order.

For second choice Mach It A Par, a 6-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P & The Gandolfo Stables and trained by Rich Banca, it was her second win in 13 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.40, with the triple returning $29.60.

Friday evening’s $30,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace was won by favored Rock N Roll Xample (Sears, $4.40) in 1:53.4.