YONKERS, NY, Friday, December 16, 2011 -- Pancleefandarpels (Jim Pantaleano), a newly-minted millionaires from her last start in Pennsylvania, was back a victress in New York Friday night. She won Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $38,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace, going from first-up to first home.
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| Pancleefandarpels (Tom Berg Photo) |
Leaving from post position No. 5 as the just-over-even-money favorite, "Pancleef" floated in fourth as Lightning Treasure (Dan Dube) was three-wide and a bit rough early.
That one made the lead around invading Athleticlyinclined (Yannick Gingras) just after a 27-second opening quarter-mile, then rated a :56.2 half.
Pancleefandarpels challenged in and out of the 1:25.2 three-quarters, grabbing the lead early stretch. After a 1:54.1 mile, she held sway, winning by a half-length. The mile-and-one-sixteenth went in 2:01.2.
Fox Valley Sage (Cat Manzi)--last at the three-quarters--was on the scene late for second, with Bling (Tim Tetrick), Summer Snow (Jordan Stratton) and Celtic Danser (Eric Goodell) rounding out the payees.
For Pancleefandarpels, a 7-year-old homebred daughter of Noble Ability owned by Peter Pan Stables and trained by Erv Miller, she returned $4.30 for her eighth win in 34 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $43.20, with the triple returning $132.50.
Friday night's co-featured $38,000 Open Handicap Trot saw pole-starting, pocket-sitting Four Starz Credit (Gingras) edge And Heez Perfect (Tetrick) in an added-distance 2:03.2.
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| Four Starz Credit (Tom Berg Photo) |
The former yielded to 7-5 fave KLM Express (Jim Marshall III), who put up early intervals of :27.4 and :57.4.
And Heez Perfect, away third from behind the eight-ball, then challenged the leader by the 1:27 three-quarters. Early in the lane, KLM Express was getting some visitors. He was about to wear out his welcome at the 1:56 mile, surrounded on both sides.
And Heez Perfect went by first, but Four Starz Credit surged past that one by a head. Wuthering Hanover (Pantaleano), KLM Express and Libra Vita (Matt Kakaley) grabbed the remainder.
For Four Starz Credit, a 7-year-old Credit Winner gelding owned by Barbara Bongiorno and trained by Keith Armer, he returned $20 (fifth choice) for his fourth win in 10 '11 tries. The exacta paid $190, the triple returned $1,779 and the superfecta paid $9,430.
Yonkers' regular five-night-per-week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect, with the 2011 racing season ending next Friday night, Dec. 23. The 2012 live season begins Friday night, Jan. 13, pending approval of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. First post for all racing programs is 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule (note the Aqueduct Christmas break runs from Dec. 19-27, inclusive).
