Yonkers, NY — Pettycoat Business delivered as the 1-5 favorite in the $57,800 M Life Rewards Pacing Series final for fillies and mares on Tuesday night (March 23) at Yonkers Raceway, scoring in a 1:54.1 mile.

Pettycoat Business converted at 1-5 in the final of the M Life Ladies series on Tuesday at Yonkers Raceway. Chris Brokate photo.

Dragon Roll (Jason Bartlett), sent off at 27-1, had a great start from post seven and led early, but driver George Brennan moved Pettycoat Business from second to first before the :27.3 opening quarter. Pettycoat Business then backed down the tempo to :56.4 at the half, giving her the tactical advantage.

Turnthefrownaround (Joe Bongiorno), who had gone three-for-three in the series’ preliminary rounds, stepped out first-over from third after the half, but she was unable to advance to the 1:25 three-quarters and around the final turn, allowing Dragon Roll to slip to the outside and Paige’s Girl (Scott Zeron) to come through on the pylons.

Despite the well-rated tempo, it looked like Pettycoat Business might be vulnerable entering the lane as Dragon Roll loomed boldly and Paige’s Girl was waiting for a possible seam on the inside. Pettycoat Business responded gamely when called on by Brennan, though, and she stayed in front to the finish line, defeating Paige’s Girl by a half length. Dragon Roll wound up third.

A 4-year-old Art Major mare, Pettycoat Business is trained by Scott DiDomenico for co-owner/breeder Michael Robinson and his ownership partners, Robert Mondillo, R.B.H. Ventures Inc. and Gilbilly Stable. Pettycoat Business now has a record of 6-5-4 from 20 tries, and she has earned $174,873. Pettycoat Business, who paid $2.40 to win, led a $6.90 exacta and a $73.00 trifecta.

There was also a $25,000 M Life Rewards Pacing Series consolation on the card, in which 3-5 choice P L Nelly (Dan Dubé) was victorious by two lengths in a lifetime best 1:56.1. She posted fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:27.1 on her way to downing first-over challenger Pray The Rosary (Brent Holland) and pocket-sitter Special Achiever (Jordan Stratton).

Juan Cano trains P L Nelly, a 4-year-old daughter of Big Jim, for owner Leo Marino. P L Nelly picked up her fourth win in her 29th start, and she has now banked $46,924. P L Nelly paid $3.50 to win and was atop a $14.60 exacta and a $37.20 trifecta.

Stakes action continues at Yonkers Wednesday night (March 24), as the M Life Rewards Gents Pacing Series for colts and geldings concludes with a $58,400 final and a $25,000 consolation. Then on Friday (March 26), the pacing mares in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will contest two $35,000 divisions of the third leg of that event.

The fields are also set for Monday’s (March 29) third round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, with three $40,000 splits slated to go behind the gate in races four, five and six. Hesa Kingslayer N, who is two-for-two in the series thus far, heads the first division; round winners Rockapelo and San Domino A will clash in the second flight; and leg one victor Lyons Steel hooks up with the likes of round two winner Backstreet Shadow in the final section.

Yonkers Raceway is also pleased to announce that, beginning with Monday night’s (March 29) card, there will be a 10 percent purse increase. Conditions sheets displaying the new purses are available on Yonkers Raceway’s website.