BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, August 22,
2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Opens--a handicap for
distaff pacers and a blind draw all socially-acceptable trotters--were won by
odds-on numbers Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton, $3.70) and Bee A Magician
(Brian Sears, $3.10).
From penultimate post position No. 6, Robin Cruiser was in the game early, yielding to outside assignee Summertime Lea (George Brennan). just after a 27-second opening quarter-mile. Social Scene (Sears) was away third.
After a 55-second half and before a 1:23.3 three-quarters, “Lea” was
getting only mile pressure from a first-up Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett). The
lead was length-and-a-quarter into the lane. However, she tired mid-stretch,
passed on the inside by Robin Cruiser and on the outside by a fast-closing
Crazy on You (Brent Holland). The former beat the latter by a neck in 1:52.3,
with Summertime Lea, the filly Fanticipation (Larry Stalbaum) and Krispy Apple
rounding out the payees.
For Robin Cruiser, a 5-year-old homebred
daughter of Yankee Cruiser owned by Pinske Stables and trained by Julie Miller,
it was her sixth win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $74.50, with the
triple returning $345.50.
…and then there was the week’s featured
trot, where the name above the marquee was one Bee A Magician.
The reigning Harness Horse of the Year,
in her first Westchester work night—and just third career half-mile
excursion—took to the four turns like a veteran.
Winning the draw, she allowed the 2013
Yonkers Trot champ Dewycolorintheline (Stratton) to throw the first salvo. Bee
A Magician then secured the lead after a :28.1 first station. From there,
a waltz--around :59.3 middle half (:58.4 intermission, 1:27.4) gave the lass
three lengths in and out of the final turn. Millionaire four times over
Arch Madness (Trond Smedshammer) was the first to move, trotting in place from
fourth before Somebody As (Dan Dube) tried his luck advancing modestly from
third.
A :27.1 chaser closed the sale by 3¾
lengths in 1:55…a new track record for her division. Somebody As won the scrum
for second, with “Dewy,” Tober (Bartlett) and Arch Madness rounding out the
payees
For Bee A Magician, a 4-year-old
daughter of Kadabra trained by Nifty Norman for co-owners David McDuffee, Mel
Hartman and Herb Liverman, she’s now 2-for-8 this season (career 29-for-38 with
earnings a shade under $2.5 million)
“She handled the track perfectly, and
I’m hoping she returns,” Sears said of the first HOY to race here after winning
the award since Gallo Blue Chip (won HOY in 2000, raced here twice in ‘03).
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.
