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

Yonkers. NY — McGibson went the distance on Friday night, March 13, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $47,400 final of the Hopeful Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies.

McGibson was a 1:57 winner in the Hopeful Pacing Series Final for 3-year-old fillies.

With Brent Holland taking a seat for trainer Linda Toscano, the daughter of McArdle made short work of her seven rivals, prevailing by 1-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:57.

In play early from penultimate post position seven, McGibson stepped around 3-5 favorite Jordan’s Jewell (Jason Bartlett), who didn’t seem all that comfortable at any point in the mile. McGibson grabbed the big chair just after a :28.4 opening quarter. The leader remained the leader through a :58.2 intermission, but her previously perfect pursuer was in disarray.

Jordan’s Jewell — she of the nine-for-nine career resume coming in — gapped the pocket badly. She was heading in the wrong direction, while giving Bartlett, who had driven both “Jordan” and McGibson in the series prelims, reason to request a mulligan.

With the people’s preference her own worst enemy, McGibson then dealt with a stubborn, first-up Dream’s Bar (Bill Vandervort, Jr.)going toward the 1:27.3 three-quarters. Gordyyy’s Pet (Cat Manzi) dove into the vacant pocket, while Cheyenne Margie (Jordan Stratton) was swinging wide.

McGibson maintained a short lead into the lane, then widened to the wire.

“Linda told me to get her forward off the gate,” Holland said. “I could see Jason’s filly was in trouble right away, so I just waited to get around her.

“(McGibson) seemed to get a bit lost at the head of the stretch, so I shook her up a bit and she was fine.”

Mike Lizzi photos

Making the trophy presentation to Brent Holland is Lisa Vetrano, maitre d’ of the Empire Terrace dining room.

Cheyenne Margie — pari-mutuelly paired with Gordyyy’s Pet — snapped second, with Dingle Bay (Chris Ryder), “Gordyyy” and Dreams’s Bar completing the cashers. Pinnacle Portia (Pat Berry), Riches To Rags (Ryan Anderson) and Jordan’s Jewell rounded out the order.

“(Jordan’s Jewell) was just really rough-gaited right from the start,” Bartlett said. “She came back fine. It just wasn’t her night.”

Save for taking the wrong date to the prom, Bartlett did everything right Friday night. He won seven races on the 13-race card a night after Greg Grismore rolled his lucky seven.

McGibson, co-owned by Bay’s Stable, Camelot Stables and William Jacobowitz, returned $11.80 (second choice) for her third win in as many seasonal sojourns. The exacta paid $46.20, with the triple worth $250.50.

A $20,000 series consolation was won by You Can’t Fool Me (Pat Berry, $17.80), who inherited the passing lane and prevailed for her first career (1:58.1) victory.

Friday night’s $31,000 Open Handicap Trot went to American Lane (Cat Manzi, season-best 1:57), paying $5.40 for his fifth (eight hole) win in nine ’09 starts.

The $49,400 final of the Hopeful for soph pacing colts and geldings goes Saturday night.