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Saturday, October 13, 2012

YR - NAUGHTYTILTHEEND, CELEBRITY BLUECHIP WIN FRIDAY NIGHT 44G CO-FEATURES

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, October 12, 2012--Yonkers Raceway's Friday night pair of $44,000 co-features--an Open Handicap for distaff pacers and an old-fashioned Open for trotters--were won by Naughtytiltheend (Brent Holland, $11.80) and Celebrity Bluechip (Jason Bartlett, $7.80).

In play early from post position No. 6, Naughtytiltheend made the lead around Hula's Z Tam (Pat Lachance) before a :28.3 opening quarter-mile. Inside assignee Hannah Isabel (Cat Manzi) sat third, with reformed claimer Late Flyin N (Jordan Stratton) fourth and Royal Cee Cee N (George Brennan)--the 3-10 favorite from her assigned eight-hole--tucked in fifth.

All the while, it was a "Naughty" and soft 30-second next interval (:58.3 half) before Late Flyin N pulled. Unfortunately for the public choice, who was on that's one back, Late Flyin N wasn't doing much for the cause.

That gave Naughtytiltheend some separation in and out of the 1:26 three-quarters, and she had a couple of lengths turning for home. The leader held sway, defeating a fast-closing fave by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2.Hula's Z Tam, Late Flyin N (eight consecutive wins versus claimers) and Artsy Princess (Bartlett) rounded out the payees.

For second-choice Naughtytiltheend, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal trained by Erv Miller for owner Diamond Creek Farm, it was her third win in 30 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $36.40, with the triple returning $141.50.

The week's marquee trot saw 64-1 Lorenzo Dream (Jim Pantaleano) give his longshot legions a shout-out through fractions of :27.3 and :57. However, he was done down the backside the second time, with inside-drawing Celebrity Bluechip leading the invasion.

The one moved from third, engulfing "Lorenzo" before the 1:26.1 three-quarters. E L Rock (Eric Goodell) was second-up, with 3-5 choice Arriba Amigo (Brennan) behind that one. Take My Picture (Mark MacDonald) was looking to extricate himself from behind a stopping pace-setter.

It was Celebrity Bluechip owning a 2½ -length into the lane, which turned into 3¾ lengths at the wire in 1:56. Arriba Amigo, the win streak ending at six, settled for second, with Take My Picture, E L Rock and the 3-year-old New York Sire Stakes veteran Brookroad Knight (Jeff Gregory) grabbing the minor moolah. 

For Celebrity Bluechip, a 5-year-old statebred son of Credit Winner trained by Ron Burke for himself (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Panhellenic and M1 Stables, it was the second choice’s fourth win in 22 '12 tries.  The exacta paid $17.20, the triple returned $51.50 and the superfecta paid $215.   

 The Raceway continues its normal five-night-per-week live schedule, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.