by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Friday night’s (July 1) co-featured $52,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers saw a down-the-road Delightful Diva (George Brennan) turn in a track record effort.

Sean Hamrock photo

Delightful Diva scored in a track record time of 1:58.2.

Leaving from her assigned outside seven hole (in one slot after an inside scratch), 3-2 fave Delightful Diva diced and sliced her way through intervals of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:23.3.

Only Monochromatic (Cat Manzi) was within earshot through much of the chase, which had Delightful Diva hit the mile in 1:51.4 before getting the added distance (1-1/16th mile) in 1:58.2 — a new standard for older pacing mares. Monochromatic was second, beaten three lengths, with a from-last Symphony In Motion (Jeff Gregory), Ramona Disomma (Jordan Stratton) and Up Front Kelli Jo (Daniel Dube) grabbing the remainder.

Delightful Diva, a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight lass owned by KDM Stables and trained by Lou Pena, returned $5.10 for her seventh win (second consecutive distaff derby) in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28.60, the triple returned $195 and the superfecta paid $382.

The Chancellor (Jason Bartlett) needed every bit of a perfect second-over trip Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $52,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Leaving from post position No. 3, The Chancellor was away fifth as 2-1 choice Whata Winner (Jim Doherty), Cold Winner (Daniel Dube), invading Lorenzo Dream (Cat Manzi) and Grain Of Truth (Jeff Gregory) all left the gate.

A three-wide Lorenzo Dream made the lead just after a :27.4 opening quarter-mile, then found a :56.2 half. Whata Winner moved from third, taking The Chancellor with him toward the 1:25.4 three-quarters.

Lorenzo Dream clung to a short lead in early stretch, but he was about to get swallowed up before the 1:55.2 mile marker. The Chancellor, with the best trip, led the charge. He was 1-1/2 lengths better than Grain Of Truth while getting the mile and one-sixteenth in 2:02.3. Whata Winner — photoed for second — KLM Express (Jim Marshall III) and Don’tellmywife (George Brennan) completed the cashers.

The Chancellor, a 5-year-old Yankee Glide gelding trained by Julie Miller for the co-owning stables of Andy Miller and Arden Homestead, returned $28.60 (sixth choice) for his third win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $306.50, with the triple returning $1,603.