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Sunday, February 5, 2012

YR - TOBAGO CAYS WINS 33G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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


YONKERS, NY, Saturday, February 2, 2012 -- Tobago Cays (Jim Pantaleano) unleashed a decisive move by the half Saturday night en route to winning Yonkers Raceway's $33,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Tobago Cays wins Open Handicap for PAcers Saturday night.  (Mike Lizzi Photo)


Leaving from post position No. 3, Tobago Cays was away fourth as Lucky Man (Larry Stalbaum) and Silent Swing (Brent Holland) played leapfrog on the lead. The former retook from the latter just after a :26.4 opening quarter-mile.
 
As the field approached the :55.3 intermission, Tobago Cays approached the leader. He went right on by Lucky Man, then took off to the tune of a :26.4 third quarter (1:22.2).

That sprint gave Tobago Cays a five-length lead at the three-quarters and 6½ lengths turning for home. He then finished it off, prevailing by 3½ lengths in 1:52.

Corky Baran (Eric Goodell) rallied for a non-threatening second as the 19-10 favorite, with Here We Go Again (Jason Bartlett), last week's winner, Foreign Officer (Jordan Stratton) and Sea Venture (George Brennan) completing the cashers.

  For Tobago Cays, a regally-bred (two Harness Horses of the Year in Rocknroll Hanover and Bunny Lake) 5-year-old owned by Brian Nixon and trained by Ross Cogan, he returned $9.70 (fourth choice) for his first win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $31.20, with the triple returning $139.50/















































































































































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