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

Yonkers, NY — Odds-on Dr J Hanover (Brent Holland, $3.90) took it to the house (call) Saturday night (Oct. 28), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Gabriela Trmal photo

Dr J Hanover was a 1:52 winner in the Open Handicap Pace.

Sent right down the road from assigned post position No. 4, Dr J Hanover left around pole-sitting Thisjetsabookin’ (Jason Bartlett), then had few issues (:27.4, :56.3, 1:23.4, 1:52).

It was Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) settling third, then unable to author a second move down the backside before backtracking to the cones. Meanwhile, Dr J Hanover opened a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane, then held sway by a length. Bit Of A Legend N did close inside for second, with a belated The Real One (Pat Lachance), Thisjetsabookin’ and Scott Rocks (Eric Goodell) settling for the remainder.

For Dr J Hanover, a 4-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Brad Grant, Robert Leblanc, Steven Wienick and Irwin Samelman and trained by Tony Alagna, it was his fifth win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $16, with the triple returning $48.60.

A remainder Yonkers races Sunday (Oct. 29) with a 12-race, all-trot program and a High Noon first post. The remaining five Sunday matinees through the end of the season are post time TBA.