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

Yonkers, NY — Favored Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett, $4.10) prevailed from the pocket Friday night (Sept. 28), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Mach It A Par won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.

Making the first lead from assigned post position No. 4, Mach It A Par gave it up to second choice Newborn Sassy (Eric Goodell) before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. That one rated a :29.1 second subsection (:56.3 intermission) before Magic Forces (George Brennan) made her second move, first-up from fourth. However, a :27.4 third quarter (1:24.2) disposed of that challenger, with Newborn Sassy taking a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane.

Mach It A Par then eased her way out and by, winning by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53. Second went to Keystone Wanda (Jim Marohn Jr.), who closed from seventh at the three-quarters. Newborn Sassy saved the bottom of the ticket, with Terror At Night (Mark MacDonald) and Scandalicious (Brent Holland) rounding out the payees.

For Mach It A Par, an 8-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P Stable and The Gandolfo Stables and trained by Rich Banca, it was her ninth win in 31 seasonal starts (career 46-for-139, earnings over $982,000). The exacta paid $37.60, the triple returned $207.50 and the superfecta paid $901.