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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $46,000 co-featured Open Handicaps — pace for the lasses and trot for anyone up to the challenge — were won by Hula’s Z Tam (Pat Lachance, $14.20) and a last-to-first Monsignor Flan (Brent Holland, $6.40).

Mike Lizzi photo

Hula’s Z Tam was a 1:52.2 winner for Pat Lachance.

Hula’s Z Tam, leaving from post four, sat a chilly fifth as Cocoa Beach (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the baton from slight 3-1 fave Billmar Scooter (Eric Goodell) right at a :27 opening quarter-mile. Soon after a :55.4 intermission, Darena Hnover (George Brennan) moved from fourth, with Hula’s Z Tam along for the ride.

Cocoa Beach had control going toward a 1:23.4 three-quarters, actually widening to 2-1/4 lengths entering the lane. However, Hula’s Z Tam had dead aim and went by. The margin was a length in a life-best 1:52.2. Darena Hanover salvaged the bottom of the ticket, with Four Starz Roe (Jason Bartlett) and Kamwood Laughter N (Shaun Vallee) rounded out the payees.

For fifth choice Hula’s Z Tam, a 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned (and trained) by her driver, along with Z Tam Stables and Margaret Dey, it was her fourth win in 20 seasonal starts (career earnings of more than $971,000). The exacta paid $88, the triple returned $423 and the superfecta paid $1,901.

Monsignor Flan, leaving from post seven, had some numbers to “run at.” For that, he should be grateful to pole-assignee Lorenzo Dream (Jim Pantaleano). Lorenzo Dream parked all comers, including last week’s upsetter, Melady’s Monet (Bartlett), and a behind-that-one DW’s NY Yank (Brennan).

The price of parking in Westchester were early intervals of :27.3 and :55.4. Down the backside, Bound For Fame (Jordan Stratton), who has been sluggish early, went wide (at 21-1), while Monsignor Flan was getting his act together from the back of the bus.

Lorenzo Dream continued to lead in and out of a 1:25.2 three-quarters, taking a tenuous advantage into the lane. Bound For Fame was coming, but Monsignor Flan, as the 2-1 choice, was bound for the winner’s circle. The latter measured off the former, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.1, matching a season’s-best effort. Cold Certified (Brian Sears), DW’s NY Yank and Lorenzo Dream grabbed the leftovers.

For Monsignor Flan, a 6-year-old S J’s Photo homebred gelding owned by Tanah Merah Farms and trained by Erv Miller, he’s now 7-for-25 this season. The exacta paid $77.50, with the triple returning $611.