Vorst wins Thursday night $44K Yonkers distaff derby
September 20, 2018,by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — With Yonkers Raceway dark Friday night (Sept. 21) in preparation for the New York Night of Champions, the leading overnight ladies had their weekly close-up an evening early. Hence, it was a Thursday night (Sept. 20) $44,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.
That was good news for Vorst (George Brennan, $27.60), who parlayed a perfect trip and a makeshift passing lane to win in 1:53.
Katy Gazzini photo
Vorst (blue blinkers) found a seam up the inside to take Thursday’s Fillies and Mares Open at Yonkers Raceway.
Getting the first lead from assigned post position five, Vorst handed the baton to Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett) before a :27.3 opening quarter mile.
After a :56.4 intermission, even-money fave Medusa (Brian Sears), who left for a seat in fourth, was out and moving again. She hooked Mach it a Par through a 1:24.4 three-quarters and the pair paced in tandem entering the lane.
Vorst, meanwhile, closed ranks from a loose pocket and found room inside in a three-way scrum. She defeated Mach it a Par by a head and Medusa by a neck. Jewel Lehigh A (Scott Zeron) and Sell a Bit N (Austin Siegelman) rounded out the payees.
For fifth choice Vorst, a 5-year-old daughter of Four Starzzz Shark owned and trained by Gilberto Garcia-Herrera, it was her fourth win in 22 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $138.50, the triple returned $241 and the superfecta paid $1,992.
Friday was quashed to allow the paddock to be used for Night of Champions detention. Saturday night’s (Sept. 22) $1.8 million finales — eight at $225,000 each — again comprise the richest night of racing in the state. Those events go as races two through nine, with first post for the dozen-race card at the usual night standard of 6:50 p.m.