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Saturday, September 27, 2014

VENUS DELIGHT, TRAVERSE SEELSTER WIN FRIDAY 44G CO-FEATURES

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.