YR - BREAKHEART PASS, SON OF NORDIC WIN FRIDAY NIGHT 33G CO-FEATURES

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 17, 2012--Breakheart Pass (Jason Bartlett) needed every bit a perfect pocket trip Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $33,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.

Breakheart Pass (Jason Bartlett) edges out Ramon Disomma in the weekly FM Open co-feature. (Tom Berg Photo)

One of three leavers--she from post position No. 4--Breakheart Pass was stuffed into a two-hole. Invading Canadian pole-sitter Keeper's Destiny (Eric Goodell), as the 2-1 choice, was intent on showing the way, doing so through early intervals of :27.3 and :57.1.

Ridge Jumper (George Brennan), moving first-up from fifth, offered less than nothing and compromising the closers. All the while, Keeper's Destiny found a 1:25.2 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.

It was an old-fashioned match-race through the lane, with Breakheart Pass snapping a stubborn leader by a schnoz in 1:53.2. Ramona Disomma (Jordan Stratton) outkicked Arctic Fire N (James Rattray) for third, with last week's winner, Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum), getting this week's final pay envelope.

For Breakheart Pass, an 8-year-old daughter of Western Hero co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, she returned $8.70 (third choice) for her second win in four seasonal starts.. The exacta paid $19.20, with the triple returning $116.

Friday night's co-featured $33,000 Open Handicap Trot saw 9-10 choice Son of Nordic (Goodell) complete the three-peat.

Son of Nordic (Eric Goodell) wins his third straight Open Handicap Trot (Tom Berg Photo)

Assigned outside of his seven rivals, Son of Nordic floated from the gate and found a seat sixth. Meanwhile, Ringside Lauryn (Brennan) controlled the race, passing weigh stations of  :28.2 and :58.2. Longshot Celebrity Bluechip (Bartlett) then came for a visit, blowing by the leader right at the  1:27 three-quarters and opening up three lengths turning for home. 

Son of Nordic, second-over behind that one, had to chase. He did, getting to that one late, winning by a half-length in 1:56.1. Third went to H and M's Hit (Stratton), with Definitely Mamie (Jeff Gregory) and "Lauryn" grabbing the leftovers. Fool's Revenue (Jim Pantaleano), the 17-10 fave, jumped it off early.

For Son of Nordic, a 7-year-old Keystone Nordic gelding trained by Doug Noland for Lrl Racing, he returned $8.10 (third choice) for his third win in four '12 tries. The exacta paid $91, the triple returned $393 and the superfecta paid $2,896.

Yonkers' five-night-per-week (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) live schedule continues. First post for all programs remains at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.