BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, September 26,
2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps—one for
distaff pacers and one for trotters of any affiliation--were won by a from-last
Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett, $93.50) and a stubborn Traverse Seelster (Tyler
Buter, $5.20).
Venus Delight, beginning outside of her
foes, viewed from the rear as 3-2 choice Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton)
made the lead around Scandalous Hanover (Eric Carlson). After a :27.1
opening quarter and seemingly-soft :56.3 intermission, no one moved
in front of Royal Cee Cee N (George Brennan), who did so from sixth.
That brought up both last week’s
victress, Campanile (Buter), as well as Venus Delight, while Robin Cruiser
found a 1:25.2 three-quarters.
“Robin” maintained a short lead into the
lane, until the outer flow rolled her over. Royal Cee Cee N went by
first, then Campanile, then finally Venus Delight. That one whipped Campanile
by a head in 1:53.2, with Royal Cee Cee N, Scandalous Hanover and a
tiring Robin Cruiser rounding out the payees.
For seventh choice Venus Delight, a
4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight trained by PJ Fraley for owner Bamond
Racing, it was her fifth win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $595, with
the triple returning $940.
The week’s marquee trot saw Traverse
Seelster—one of several leavers, he from post position No. 5—settle early
before stepping past pole assignee Bingo Queen (Eric Goodell). “Traverse,” as
the 8-5 favorite, shooed just about everyone away through sub-stations of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.
The lone
“nuisance” was a first-up Obrigado (Bartlett), who chased the leader for all he
was worth before missing a length in 1:55.1. Somebody AS (Dan Dube) was
third, beaten 3 ½ lengths, with Rossini (Larry Stalbaum) and The Triple Lindy
(Carlson) settling for the small change.
For Traverse Seelster, a 6-year-old
Angus Hall gelding owned by Keith Pippi and trained by Amber Buter, he’s now
13-for-25 this season. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $14.80, the
triple returned $111 and the superfecta paid $632.
Also Friday, Yonkers honored New York
State racing inspector Matt Bibbo, who is retiring Saturday night.
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.
