by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — A sluggish-early Mackenzie A (Jordan Stratton, $5.70) was in hand late Friday night (Nov. 3), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Gabriela Trmal photo
Jordan Stratton drove Mackenzie A to a 1:54.3 triumph.
Away slowly from post position No. 4, the Matchmaker champ saw Call Me Queen Be (Mark MacDonald) make the lead around Betabcool N (Eric Goodell) before a :27 opening quarter-mile.
The latter then took over from the former, getting a :56.4 intermission and 1:25.3 three-quarters as She’sjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) tried it first-up from fifth. That move gave Mackenzie A a tow, though she was gapping it for much of the backside.
Betabcool N maintained a short lead into the lane, but she was about done. Mackenzie A finally received the memo, edging past to win in 1:54.3. Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett) raced behind the eventual winner from third-up, chasing her home to miss by three-quarters of a length. She’sjustadelight N, Call Me Queen Be and Lispatty (George Brennan) settled for the remainder.
For Mackenzie A, a 5-year-old Down Under daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven co-owned by Harry Von Knoblauch Stables and Ellen Kinser and trained by Peter Tritton, it was her third win in 11 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $17.60, with the triple (three wagering choices in order) returning $55.