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

Yonkers, NY — Favorite Sir Jillian Z Tam (Patrick Lachance) won the draw Wednesday morning and the race Monday night, annexing Yonkers Raceway’s $66,400 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old fillies and mares.

Tom Berg photo

Sir Jillian Z Tam was a winner in 1:56.3.

Sir Jillian Z Tam stung Look Annie Hall (George Brennan) a bit, then let her go before a :28 opening quarter-mile. Look Annie Hall then rated a :59.1 intermission before Southwind Trini (Cat Manzi) moved from fourth. She prompted the action to a :28.3 third quarter (1:27.4), with Vy Hanover (Jordan Stratton) slightly gapping from second-over.

Look Annie Hall owned a length advantage entering the lane, but was about to give up the ghost. Sir Jillian Z Tam ducked inside, getting the best of a stubborn Southwind Trini by a half-length in 1:56.3. Vy Hanover was third, with Not Thinking (Daniel Dube) and Look Annie Hall settling for the remainder. Mandolin Hanover (Brian Sears), Wizzard Queen (Jason Bartlett) and Angelo’s Dream (Larry Stalbaum) rounded out the order.

Sir Jillian Z Tam, a 4-year-old statebred daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by (trainer) Lachance, Z Tam Stables and Ira Rosenblum, returned $4.20 for her fifth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.60 (two wagering choices), with the triple returning $47.

“She needed the trip,” Lachance said of the lass who won twice in prelim competition. “I let the other mare (Look Annie Hall) go because I’d thought she’d be able to carry me, and it worked out. It’s back to the overnights for her now.”

Lachance was congratulated by New York State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Yonkers/Mt. Vernon), chairman of the Assembly’s Racing and Wagering Committee. The two have a history, with Lachance ably assisting Pretlow when the latter won a Legislators’ Challenge event here.

“We wound up in the winner’s circle together again,” Pretlow said.

A $25,000 series consolation was won by Rocknroll Princess (Mark MacDonald, $17.40) in 1:55.

The Raceway’s richest event of the season to date — the $70,400 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings — goes Tuesday night.