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Sunday, October 28, 2012

YR - REAL NICE WINS SATURDAY NIGHT 44G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, October 27, 2012--Odds-on favorite Real Nice (Jordan Stratton, $3.30) worked out a pocket trip Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Leaving from post position No. 3, Real Nice made the lead before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. He then relinquished that role to eight-hole assignee Great Vintage (Dan Dube), who negotiated a :55.3 half. Rock 'Em (Larry Stalbaum)  then moved from fifth, prompting through a :28.1 third quarter (1:23.4). That one gave way grudgingly as Great Vintage owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane.

However, his advantage in the polls was about up, as Real Nice ducked inside and edged by, winning by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:52. Or (Jason Bartlett), who had slipped out behind Rock ‘Em, slipped into second, with a from-last Sapphire City (Brent Holland), Rock 'Em and Eagle All (Eric Goodell) rounding out the payees. Great Vintage faded to seventh.

For Real Nice, a millionaire 7-year-old Real Artist gelding co-owned by Gary & Beverly Paganelli and Anthony Scussel and trained by Rich Banca, it was his ninth win in 23 seasonal starts (41st career victory) . The exacta paid $15.40, with the triple returning $166.50.

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.

 

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