by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY – An intriguing $30,000 Open Handicap Trot Friday night at Yonkers Raceway found a pair of interlopers leaving from the two outside venues.
Railroad Ron (Stephane Bouchard, post 7) and Justice Hall (Jim Meittinis, post 8) may have been just 6-for-46 between them season, but each was paying his way.
At the outset, it was last week’s winner–and this week’s 8-5 choice–Winnin’ Image (Greg Grismore), widest among a quartet of leavers. He grabbed the advantage around The Federalist (Pat Lachance) right at the :28.2 opening quarter-mile.
Winnin’ Image led through a :58.3 intermission and 1:28.2 three-quarters with Stan (Jordan Stratton) tiring first-over and 27-1 rank outsider Get Packin’ (Jim Pantaleano) going wide around his tow. Winnin’ Image was all but done turning for home.
Get Packin’ made the lead early in the lane, but could not finish it off. Railroad Ron raced in place from third-over.
Justice Hall, meanwhile, was stacked widest of all, out-gaming The Federalist by a half-length in 1:58.1. Enjoy the Victory (Larry Stalbaum), Get Packin’ and Railroad Ron completed the cashers.
For Justice Hall, a 6-year-old son of Garland Lobell co-owned (with Mary Katz) and trained by Kevin Thomas, it was his third win in 24 seasonal starts (career earnings now over $750,000).
Friday night’s co-featured, $30,000 Filly and Mare Open ‘Cap Pace saw Best Chance Hanna (Lachance) do it the hard way.
Leaving from post No. 5, she fought the first-up battle against longshot leader Jann’s Bid (Stratton). That one led through fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:26 before wearing out her welcome off the final turn.
Best Chance Hanna grinded by in early stretch, then held off Sherry (Stalbaum) by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:54.3, matching his seasons and life-best. Stonebridge Kisses (Bouchard) at 1-2 was given way too much work to do and rallied for third, with Jann’s Bid and Omen Hanover (Eric Abbatiello) grabbing the small change.
Best Chance Hanna, a 4-year-old daughter of Western Hanover trained by Lachance for Z Tam Racing, paid $9.70 (second choice) for her seventh win in 24 ’07 tries.