BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, July 11,
2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps—for
distaff pacers and all-allowed trotters--were won by millionairess Monkey on My
Wheel (Jason Bartlett, $3.10) and Fort Valley As (Bartlett again, $13.40).
Odds-on choice Monkey on My Wheel,
working from a rather-generous post position No. 5 starting venue, gave nothing
else a chance. She strolled around pole-assigned invader Icommandmyspirit
(Larry Stalbaum), then set down fractions of :27.3 and :56.1. Summertime Lea
(George Brennan), who found an early tuck, moved again going toward the 1:24
three-quarters.
However, “Lea” couldn’t threaten as
Monkey on My Wheel opened 2½ lengths entering the lane. The final margin was a
length-and-a-half in 1:52…matching a season’s-best.
Last week’s victress, Robin Cruiser
(Jordan Stratton), closed for second, with Summertime Lea, Virgin Mary (Eric
Goodell) and Icommandmyspirit rounding out the payees.
For
“Monkey,” a 6-year-old homebred daughter of Mach Three owned by Mac Nichol and
trained by Casie Coleman, it was her eighth win in 18 seasonal starts. The
exacta paid $15.80, with the triple returning $68.50.
:27.4, :57.3, 1:26.3, 1:55.2
$70.50, $259.50, $1,019.
The week’s marquee trot saw Fort Valley
As—in of three leavers, he from post No. 5—wind up pocketed. Lorenzo
Dream (Brennan) made the lead from his outside seven-hole (in one notch after a
defection), while Amigo Ranger (Dan Dube) broke.
“Lorenzo” found a :27.4 opening quarter-mile,
at which returning 2013 Yonkers Trot champ Dewycolorintheline (Stratton), as
the 6-5 fave, tried to move from third before sitting back down.
A :57.3 intermission and 1:26.3
three-quarters saw the “Lorenzo” and “Fort Valley” have the race to themselves,
with the former a length-and-a-half turning for home. However, the latter
quickly closed ranks, then edged away. Fort Valley As won by a
length-and-a-quarter in a season’s-best 1:55.2.
Lorenzo Dream was a safe second, with
Dewycolorintheline third, beaten four lengths. Ima Que T (Eric Carlson) and
Itzaziam (Pat Berry) settled for the remainder.
For fourth choice Lorenzo Dream, a
6-year-old Tom Ridge gelding owned and trained by Jennifer Sabot, it was his
third win in 11 ’14 starts. The exacta paid $70.50, the triple returned
$259.50 and the superfecta paid $1,019.
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 daily.
