BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, September 7, 2013--China Grill (Pat Lachance) was
first-up and first home Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $37,000 Open
Handicap Pace.
Away fifth from post position No. 4,
China Grill watched as Statesman N (Jordan Stratton) led through early
intervals of :27.2 and :56.1. Diamond Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) was pocketed,
with American Rage (Jim Pantaleano) third.
China Grill, who had lacked room in
his last couple starts, took that matter off the table here by extricated
himself from the cones. He went up and over Statesman N with the greatest of
ease before the 1:24.2 three-quarters. That did nothing for the cause of 6-5
choice Hillbilly Hanover (George Brennan).
"Hillbilly" had left for a
seat, flushed out the eventual winner, then was left out there when China Grill
made the lead. That lead was 2¾ lengths turning for home and 2¼ lengths at the
wire...in a life-best 1:51.3. Second went to Diamond Cowboy, with Hillbilly
Hanover, American Rage and Statesman N settling for the minor awards.
For China Grill. a 5-year-old
Shanghai Phil gelding trained by his driver for owner Lawrence Litvin, he
returned $12.60 (third choice) for his fifth win in 14 seasonal starts. The
exacta paid $65, with the triple returning $359.50.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, 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.
