BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, August 29,
2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Opens--a handicap for
distaff pacers and a blind draw for all trotters who passed initiation--were
won by rank outsider Campanile (Eric Carlson, $58.50) and Obrigado (Brent Holland,
$11).
An early bystander from post position No. 4, Campanile had much to watch. Last week’s victress, Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton) was in play, getting stung by pole assignee, the newly-sold Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett).
No sooner did the just-above-even-money fave Robin Cruiser make the lead (:26.4
opening quarter-mile) than Monkey on My Wheel (Dan Dube) took her turn. Monkey
on My Wheel found a :55.4 intermission and 1:24.2 three-quarters, with
Montenegro (Greg Merton) offering a stern test first-up.
Monkey on My Wheel opened to a length-and-a-quarter entering the lane, but was
done soon after. Venus Delight closed deep in the passing lane, but it was
Campanile—third-up--moving widest and fastest. Sixth in and out of the final
turn, Campanile prevailed by a neck in 1:52.3. Robin Cruiser, Crazy on You
(Holland) and Camille (George Brennan) rounded out the payees.
For Campanile, a 5-year-old daughter of
No Pan Intended trained by Allan Johnson for owner Michael Casalino Jr., it was
her seventh win in 31 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $290.50, with the triple
returning $789.
The week’s marquee trot saw upstate
scourge Obrigado—which, as pointed out by track announcer/U-N interpreter John
Hernan, translates to “thank you” in Portuguese—prevail from second-over.
After Tober (Bartlett) and Lorenzo Dream
(Jeff Gregory) led the way (:27.2, :57.1), Tober regained and found a 1:26.1
three-quarters. He had a 2¼-length lead turning for home, having disposed of
both a stopping “Lorenzo” and an uncovered DW’s NY Yank (Brennan).
However, Obrigado—gradually advancing
from post No. 5—snapped the leader late, winning by a neck in 1:55.3. Third
went to Bingo Queen (Eric Goodell), with tepid 19-10 choice Somebody AS (Dube)
and “DW” settling for the minor awards.
For Obrigado, a 4-year-old Boy Band
gelding co-owned by (trainer) Paul Kelley, William Weaver III, Linwood Higgins
and Stable 45, he’s now 7-for-16 this season (28-for-39 lifetime). The exacta
paid $44.20, with the triple returning $216.50.
Friday’s undercard saw the 7-year-old
double millionaire Wishing Stone (Brennan, $3.70) beat up his rivals, setting a
set track record for aged trotting horses (1:54.2). He (nearly a year ago to
the day) and Archangel shared the old standard at a tick slower.
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.
