by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — New England invader Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing, $11.20) picked off pace-setting Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron) in a two-speed number Friday night (Dec. 9), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Mike Lizzi photo
Shesjustadelight N remains undefeated in North America after capturing the featured contest at Yonkers on Friday evening.
As the lead suggests, both ladies were put in play, from post position five and six respectively. There was some early daylight as Glenferie Bronte N (Mark MacDonald) gapped badly from the three-hole.
After a :27.3 opening quarter-mile and :56.4 intermission, Frost Damage Blues (Dan Dube) moved from a distant fourth. That one never really was an issue in and out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters.
‘Bedroom’ owned a lead of 1-1/2 lengths entering the lane, but company was coming. Shesjustadelight N edged inside, while last week’s victress, Mach It A Par (Jordan Stratton), offered her usual late arrival as this week’s slight 2-1 choice.
Shesjustadelight N whipped Bedroomconfessions by a neck in 1:53, with Mach It A Par, Frost Damage Blues and Motu Moonbeam N (Brent Holland) rounding out the payees.
For fourth choice Shesjustadelight N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by her driver & Kevin Sywyk and trained by Heidi Gibbs, it was her 13th win in 23 seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $37.60, the triple returned $102.00 and the superfecta paid $367.50.
Note that since no one took down Friday night’s Pick-5, Saturday’s (Dec. 10) bgimmick begins with a carryover of $2,041.73 It is a 50-cent base wager now with races six through 10.