by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — The hiatus gave way to the hi-jinx as Yonkers Raceway returned to High Noon Friday (June 11), highlighted by a pair of $15,000 co-features.
Under the umbrella of “Ladies First” was the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace, where Time Flies N (Jim Meittinis) overcame her ordered eight hole to grab the lead passing the :284 opening quarter-mile. Sweet On Art (Ray Schnittker) was sequestered second, with the 9-10 favorite, Casino Miss (Stephane Bouchard), sitting third.
Coming past the :574 half-mile, Ex Libris Hanover (John Hogan) took out of fourth, with Chip And Gale A (Jim Marohn) second-up. Tasma Walton A (Dan Dube), toting a three race winning streak from Pocono Downs, found herself third-over.
Time Flies N led the parade through a 1:271 third panel, and owned a length and three-quarter lead entering the roadway to riches.
However, Tasma Walton A was sustaining her wide bid, and the invader forged past a game pace-setter nearing the wire, prevailing by a half length in 1:564. Chip And Gale A was third, with Forever Blue N (Jim Marshall III) and Sweet On Art completing the cashers. Aforementioned people’s choice Casino Miss had to settle for a dead-heat sixth (with Alanis M).
For Tasma Walton A, a seven-year-old Down Under daughter of Walton Hanover, it was her fifth victory in 10 seasonal starts. The victress, owned by Keisers Oberman Stables and trained by Tim Case, returned $9.10 as the second choice. The exacta paid $78, with the triple worth $359.50.
Friday’s overflow, nine horse Open (straight draw) Trot featured the return of 2000 Yonkers Trot champion Goalfish, making his first local visit since mid-November of 2002.
Leaving from post four with co-owner and trainer Jacqueline Ingrassia doing the honors, Goalfish was frisky early, leaving along with The Legend (Greg Merton) and Bonus Trot Series champ Blast Off (John Plutino).
Blast Off wanted no part of a seat behind The Legend, so he two-moved to the lead before a :284 first quarter-mile. Goalfish, who may have been forced wide by that second move, was undoubtedly forced to find a seat, which he did in third.
Blast Off reached the half in :593 before Goalfish, the 8-5 second choice, left the cones to challenge. Spat One (Jeff Gregory), the 7-5 favorite, advanced to stalk Goalfish, but Blast Off continued to show the way through a 1:284 three-quarters.
Blast Off began the jaunt off the final turn with a three-quarter length lead, then determinedly held off a stubborn Goalfish by that margin in 1:593. Total Mayhem (Mike Forte) closed for third, while The Legend and Spat One earned the small portions.
Blast Off, a four-year-old Malabar Man gelding, returned $20.20 for his ninth win in 20 ’04 efforts. John Schmigel trained the winner for Klis Brothers Stable.
The exacta paid $71, the triple was good for $826 and the nobody-hit-it superfecta (first two finishers with anyone else third and fourth) returned $56.
Friday also ended the “Stretch The Stretch” claiming series, for $15,000, $20,000 and $25,000 pacers, respectively.
The mile and one-sixteenth dashes, worth $28,900, $32,400 and $39,750, respectively were annexed by:
- $15,000: Infirmerater,g,4 (by Firm Belief); owner-trainer Mike Matheos); driver Marshall III; 2:032/$45.40.
- $20,000: Best After Midnite,g,8 (by Nuclear Flash); co-owners Scott Dillon and Robert Sumner; trainer Matt Medeiros; driver Gregory; 2:032/$2.50.
- $25,000: Timely Scooter,h,8 (by Matt’s Scooter); owner Bruce Poirier; trainer Medeiros; driver Merton; 2:034/$4.10 (swept all five series dashes).
Yonkers continues its Friday 12 Noon first post through July 23. Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays remain at the usual 7:40 p.m. first post.
Afternoon simulcasting is offered around the NYRA schedule, and the Raceway is open for Friday evening simulcasting.