Mach It A Par wins Friday $50K Distaff Derby at Yonkers
February 24, 2017,by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, for Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett, $6) was the third and last leader Friday night (Feb. 24), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Jelena Gerga photo
Mach It A Par, pictured on the inside, captured her first triumph of the season in her second start of 2017.
Into the game early from assigned post position seven, Mach It A Par waited her turn as Empress Deo (Matt Kakaley) and Lispatty (Mark MacDonald) took turns with the lead. Mach It A Par grabbed her chance just after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile.
After a :29 next substation for a :56.2 half-mile, it was 48-1 rank outsider For The Ladies N (Dan Dube) taking out of fourth. Regil Elektra (Brent Holland) was second-up, while 19-10 choice Mackenzie A (Jordan Stratton), in her U.S. pari-mutuel debut, was behind that one.
Mach It A Par continued her work night in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, taking a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane. Despite drifting a bit, she held sway, negating the sharp close of Mackenzie A to win by a head in 1:52.4. Third went to Lispatty, with Empress Deo and Regil Elektra rounding out the payees.
The five cashers were separated by just 1-3/4 lengths at the line.
For second choice Mach It A Par, a 7-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, Gandolfo & T L P Stables and trained by Richard Banca, it was her first win in two seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $28, with the triple returning $75.50.
- Mackenzie A to make North American debut Friday at Yonkers Raceway (Thursday, February 23, 2017)
Driver Jordan Stratton sat behind 5-year-old mare Mackenzie A for the first time last Friday (Feb. 17) as she faced the starting gate for a qualifier at Yonkers Raceway. Now, her connections are eager to launch her North American campaign in Friday’s (Feb. 24) sixth race $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers.