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

Yonkers, NY — A second-tier Bioness (Brian Sears, $33.80) made one decisive move Sunday afternoon (Sept. 2), winning the $120,000 final of Yonkers Raceway’s French-American Trotting Club Series. The finale, wrapping a four-race series for imported French-breds, went at 1-1/2 mile distance and was the first of the four added-distance races.

Katy Gazzini photo

Bioness wins the $120,000 final for the French-American Trotting Club Series.

Away sixth (fifth after a breaker) from post position nine, Bioness made the lead from 47/1 Adagio de la Tour (Jason Bartlett) between the :28.3 opening quarter-mile and the :59.1 half.
He then fought off Uhlan Noir (Brent Holland), with Deo (George Brennan) wide behind that one. While this was going on, 6-5 choice favorite Versachet (Jordan Stratton) found himself going wide to nowhere, while second choice Ursis des Caillons (Joe Bongiorno) was done in by an early break.

After subsequent substations of 1:28.3, 1:58 and 2:28, Bioness opened to three lengths into the lane. Though tiring, Bioness did hold sway over a handful of pursuers, winning by a length in 2:58. Adagio de la Tour (Jason Bartlett) closed from a loose pocket and wound up second, with Alpha D’Urzy (Louis-Philippe Roy) third. Ursis des Caillions did recover for fourth, with first leader Barry Black (Austin Siegelman) lasting for the last pay envelope.

For fifth choice Bioness, a 7-year-old Sam Bourbon gelding owned by Northfork Racing Stable and trained by Chris Oakes, it was his third win in 13 seasonal starts (a second and two thirds in series prelims). The exacta paid $1,004, the triple returned $6,978 and the superfecta paid $43,653 (base $2 payout).

The week’s $44,000 Open Handicap Trot, at the old-fashioned flat mile, was won by down-the-road Obrigado (Mark MacDonald, $5.90) in 1:55.2

Sunday’s final-for-a-while summer stock presentation of the ‘New York, New York Double’ featured a winning combination of 4-Ruler of the Nile (Saratoga’s first race) and 6-Lord Cromwell (Yonkers’ third race), returning $18.70 for every correct $1 ticket. Total pool was $7,490.

The next Sunday matinee is Nov. 4 (post time TBA).

Note that the Raceway is dark for live racing Monday and Tuesday nights (Sept. 3 and 4), returning Thursday night (Sept. 6), with the evening norm first post of 6:50 p.m.