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

Yonkers, NY — Veteran Great Vintage (Mark MacDonald, $9) finished what he started Saturday night (Aug. 11), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Katy Gazzini photo

Great Vintage wins in 1:52.2 at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday evening.

Using his usual gate speed, Great Vintage—from post position No. 5—threw down intervals of :27.1, :56.4, 1:24.2 and 1:52.2. He held off a first-up McErlean by a head, with 3-2 favorite Always At My Place (George Brennan a second-over third.

Pacing Major N (Austin Siegelman) and Doctor Butch (Jason Bartlett) came away with the minors, while logical would-be favorite Evenin Of Pleasure was scratched-sick.

For third choice Great Vintage, a 10-year-old son of American Ideal owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Goran Anderberg & Goran Falk and trained by Jimmy Takter, it was his fifth win in 13 seasonal starts (career 45-for-161, earnings over $1.26 million). The exacta paid $102.50, the triple returned $402 and the superfecta paid $636.

It was one of MacDonald’s four wins during the 11-race card.

Sunday’s (Aug. 12) matinee has a first post of 12:40 p.m., with races one through four of the overflow-field, 1-1/4 miles ‘French’ theme. The ‘New York, New York Double’ is comprised of Saratoga’s first race and Yonkers’ third. Post times are 1 p.m. and 1:40 p.m., respectively.