by Frank Drucker, for Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Purrfect Bags (Jordan Stratton) rallied to snap odds-on Tessa Seelster (George Brennan) at the wire Friday (Aug. 19) night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Purrfect Bags returns to her winning ways at Yonkers Raceway.

Unhurried from post position five, last season’s Lady Maud winner watched as 3-5 favorite ‘Tessa’ made the lead before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile.

After a soft :57-second intermission, Bettor N Better (Dan Dube) moved from fourth, towing along Purrfect Bags. Tessa Seelster then threw down a :27.4 third quarter (1:24.4), taking a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane.

However, the returning lass was relentless, as Purrfect Bags, wide and strong, nipped the people’s choice by a neck in 1:52.4. Bettor N Better was third, with Know It All (Eric Abbatiello) and Regil Elektra (Mark MacDonald) rounding out the payees.

For fourth choice Purrfect Bags, a 4-year-old daughter of Roddy’s Bags Again owned and trained by Jo Ann Looney-King, it was her fifth win in 11 seasonal starts (career 22-for-34). The exacta paid $57.50, with the triple returning $298.50.