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

Yonkers, NY — Slight favorite Motu Moonbeam N (Matt Kakaley, $7.60) took over early and lasted late Friday night (Jan. 26), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Motu Moonbeam N scores her second win in 2018 from three starts.

Away second from post position two, Motu Moonbean N grabbed the lead from pole-assigned All About Madi (George Brennan) before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. Sell A Bit N (Jordan Stratton) was also put in play, finding a seat third.

After a :57.4 intermission, Hidden Land (Eric Goodell) tried it first-up from fifth. That one offered just a mild bid in and out of a 1:26.3 three-quarters, with Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett) in behind.

Motu Moonbeam N owned a length lead into the lane, with All About Madi taking a shot inside and Sell A Bit N needing room that wasn’t there. The leader did held, prevailing by a desperate nose in a season’s-best 1:54.4. All About Madi was second, with Sell A Bit N, Mach It A Par and Annabeth (Brent Holland) settling for the minors.

For Motu Moonbeam N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by Friendship Stables and trained by Paul Blumenfeld, it was her second win three seasonal starts.

The exacta paid $29, with the triple returning $128.