by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Jordan’s Jewell, nine-for-nine to begin her career, is the 9-5 early choice for Yonkers Raceway’s $47,700 final of the Hopeful Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies.

The Friday (March 13) finale (first post 7:10 p.m.) offers an intriguing octet after three weeks of prelims.

Jordan’s Jewell, a daughter of Mantese, won both of her Hopeful legs right after a six-month hiatus. She drew post position three and retains the services of driver Jason Bartlett.

“She’s just a gritty filly and really likes her job,” Bartlett said. “She was a bit steppy in the first leg, had trouble in the first turn, so we added a Murphy blind on her inside (left) and tightened the hobbles, and that helped in her second start.”

“Jordan,” who has a pair of 1:55 freshman miles to her credit (here and Plainridge) is trained by Matt Medeiros for co-owners Gary and Beverly Paganelli, John MacLean and Michael Daddario.

Bartlett had a decision to make, selecting Jordan’s Jewell over another talented lass.

McGibson, a winner of both her Hopeful tries, drew post seven with Brent Holland getting the assignment.

“She didn’t cost much ($18,000) at the end of the Harrisburg sale,” trainer Linda Toscano said. “I didn’t even realize at the time that she was a half-sister to ($378,000 winner) Rudy Rednose — and he never even made the races at 2.”

The daughter of McArdle, co-owned by Bay’s Stable, Camelot Stables and William Jacobowitz, made a half-dozen starts as a freshman — primarily against Jersey-breds — before being shut down with breathing problems.

“She had surgery, and we’re obviously very pleased the way she’s responded,” Toscano said. “I’ve always liked the half-mile tracks, and we trained her back with the Hopeful in mind.”

Trainer Robbie Siegelman had more than a passing interest in Friday’s festivities, with Gordyyy’s Pet (Cat Manzi, post four) and Cheyenne Margie (Jordan Stratton, post five) starting side-by-side. Both lasses, leased by The Cheyenne Gang, have acquitted themselves well.

“They’re very green and very different,” Siegelman said. “Gordyyy’s Pet is big and powerful, a strapping filly, and ‘Margie’ is much smaller and feminine.

“Neither was ready last season. They were, and are, very immature, sort of like fifth- or sixth-graders, but they’ve shown me good things in this series.”

In a true testament to the open draw, Riches To Rags and driver Ryan Anderson, who turned in the fastest (1:57.3) trial mile, wound up behind the eight-ball for the final.

The field for Friday’s ninth race feature, with declared drivers and morning-line odds, is as follows: 1-Pinnacle Portia (Pat Berry, 12-1); 2-Dream’s Bar (Bill Vandervort Jr., 8-1); 3-Jordan’s Jewell (Jason Bartlett, 9-5); 4-Gordyyy’s Pet (Cat Manzi, 6-1); 5-Cheyenne Margie (Jordan Straton, 6-1, coupled with “Gordyyy”); 6-Dingle Bay (Chris Ryder, 5-1); 7-McGibson (Brent Holland, 3-1); 8-Riches To Rags (Ryan Anderson, 6-1).

A $20,000 consolation goes as the eighth race.

The $49,400 final of the Hopeful for soph colt and gelding pacers is scheduled for Saturday night, March 14.