by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Off-the-layoff Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $12.40) finished what she started Friday night (May 6), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Tessa Seelster was a narrow winner in the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

In play early from her assigned post position No. 2, it was Tessa Seelster working around Mach It A Par (Brian Sears). She then completed her rounds (:27.4, :56.3, 1:24.2, 1:52.1) while beating her seven elders.

Carolsideal (Dan Dube), as the 9-5 favorite, hung around first-up, though never getting to Tessa Seelster, who owned a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane. She held off a second-over Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett) by a neck, with Mach It A Par, Caroslideal and Al Raza N (Mark MacDonald) settling for the remainder.

Third choice Tessa Seelster, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, is now four-for-four this season after her first purse start since late January. The exacta paid $82.50, the triple returned $337 and the superfecta paid $1,335.

Friday evening’s $30,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace was won by Know It All (Eric Abbatiello, $10) in 1:54.

Derby Day Saturday finds the Raceway in full Churchill Downs simulcast mode, with selected mutuel windows opening at 10 a.m. in advance of a 10:30 a.m. first post. The track apron has music, food and drink specials and the obligatory hat contest (with special guest judge Bethenny Frankel and cash prizes). The regular live program begins at 7:10 p.m.