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

Yonkers, NY — Favored Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter, $5.30) was put to work early and in hand late Friday night (Oct. 23), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Sean Hamrock photo

Jonsie Jones was a 1:54 winner in the Friday feature.

In play at the outset from post position No. 5, Jonsie Jones made the first lead before yielding to Inittowinafortune (George Brennan). That one, in turn, gave way to Justhaven’tmetuyet (Jason Bartlett) right at the :27.2 opening quarter-mile.

Wanting nothing to do with a three-hole, Jonsie Jones made her second advance, reclaimed the baton soon after and rated a :56.4 intermission.

Envious Hanover (Brian Sears) then moved from fourth, making only minimal impact toward a 1:25.1 three-quarters. Jonsie Jones owned a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane, then whipped a closing Sell A Bit (Jordan Stratton) by a length in 1:54. Third went to Justhaven’tmetuyet, with Sensationalgabby A (Dan Dube) and rank outsider Strings (Brent Holland) settling for the remainder.

For Jonsie Jones, an 8-year-old daughter of Tulane owned by LRL Racing and trained by Amber Buter, it was her ninth win in 34 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $46.40, with the triple returning $263.

Yonkers Raceway — graveyard of favorites?

“You can’t make money betting half-mile tracks. They’re too chalky.”

Not so fast, Skippy. With apologies to Saratoga Race Course, recently Yonkers Raceway has become the graveyard of favorites.

Those who’ve tried their hand with the Westchester cards the past few nights were pleasantly rewarded, provided they found the “magic numbers.”

Thursday night (Oct. 22), in an age-restricted claimer, 77-1 Shadios (Tyler Buter, $157.50) picked everyone off in the lane, leading a $1,380 exacta and $6,529 triple while back-ending a $7,857 Pick-4.

Thursday also offered a $22,755 superfecta (base $2 payout), one of three that paid at least four figures.

Friday night (Oct. 23), it was an even 70-1 Narcian Jewel (Eric Carlson, $142) who rolled ‘em over late in a distaff conditioned event. The race featured an $873 exacta and $5,118 triple.

Buter then grabbed the longshot leash, winning consecutively with the pacer Invictus Hanover ($52) and the trotter Bas J ($24.60).

Feeling left out to that point, Jordan Stratton was a pocket winner in the finale with 17-1 Stormunn ($37) as favorites went just two-for-12 during Friday’s card.

A reminder that Saturday night’s (Oct. 24) Pick-5 begins with a carryover of $4,102.18 (50-cent base wager, races seven through 11).