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Saturday, July 12, 2014

BARTLETT SWEEPS FRIDAY 44G CO-FEATURES WITH “MONKEY,” FORT VALLEY AS

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.