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

Yonkers, NY — There’s valor, there’s discretion and there’s Evenin’ of Pleasure (George Brennan, $3.40). Horse and driver took the latter tact Saturday night (July 29), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Gabriela Trmal photo

Evenin’ Of Pleasure takes the featured event at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday evening.

In play from same post position six he conquered in last week’s marquee pace, odds-on Evenin’ of Pleasure was again wide leaving. This time, however, instead of being hung out in the hinterlands, he deferred, taking a seat as the floor show unfolded in front of him.

Western Dynasty (Greg Merton), Dynamic Youth (Carl Cito Jr.) and Great Vintage (Eric Goodell) mixed it up early, as in a :26.3 opening quarter-mile. Great Vintage won the early scrum, with Evenin’ of Pleasure settling fifth and staying there through the :55.3 intermission. He then moved to chase a first-up Texican N (Jordan Stratton) as that one advanced toward a 1:24 three-quarters.

Great Vintage owned a length lead into the lane, but he was done. Evenin’ of Pleasure rolled from second-over, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3. Sharp shipper Hickory Icon (Mark MacDonald) closed from third-over into second in his first local appearance since last fall. Dynamic Youth, Western Dynasty and Texican N rounding out the payees. Great Vintage backpedaled to last among the octet.

For Evenin’ of Pleasure, a 7-year-old son of Dragon Again owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Ron Burke, it was his third win in nine 2017 tries. The exacta paid $29, with the triple returning $165.

Yonkers offers up the third of eight consecutive Sunday matinees (July 30), with a first post of 11:30 a.m.