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

Yonkers, NY — Carobbean Pacetry (Jordan Stratton, $7.40) held off 2-1 choice Gina Grace N (Larry Stalbaum) in a two-speed number Friday night (March 9), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Carobbean Pacetry wins the featured event at Yonkers Raceway on Friday night.

Wide early from post position five, Carobbean Pacetry worked around her rival, making the lead before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. She then rated a :57.1 middle half (:56.1, 1:24.3), easier since the only one to move at her was a from-seventh L A Delight (Marcus Johansson).

Carobbean Pacetry opened a pair of lengths off the final turn, whipping Gina Grace N by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3. L A Delight was a quite credible third, with Safe From Terror (Matt Kakaley) and Itty Bitty (Jason Bartlett) settling for the minors.

For second choice Carobbean Pacetry, a 7-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere owned by Meir Geller and trained by Eldo Leonelli, it was her fourth win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $23.40, with triple returning $234.50.

Any number of these lasses, as well as those in Friday’s subsequent $30,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Pace—won by Mach It A Par (Bartlett) in 1:54.4—are being pointed toward next Friday’s night (March 16) opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.