BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, October 17,
2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps—one for
distaff pacers and one for any trotter with letters of reference—were won by a
down-the-road Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett, $2.90) and a storming-home Obrigado
(Brian Sears, $10.80).
The week’s fairer-sex feature was strictly
a two-speed number, with odds-on Krispy Apple leaving around Robin Cruiser
(Jordan Stratton). The people’s preference sent pokey early fractions (:28,
:57.2) before Summertime Lea (George Brennan) tried her luck with a
second move.
“Lea” second came close in and out of a
1:25 three-quarters as Krispy Apple opened a couple of lengths entering the
lane. She held sway, defeating Robin Cruiser by a length-and-a-half in 1:53.2.
Coffee Addict, Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter) and Campanile (Austin Siegelman)
rounded out the payees.
For Krispy Apple, a 6-year-old
millionaress daughter of Western Ideal trained by PJ Fraley for co-owners
Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino, it was her third win in 21 seasonal starts.
The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $10.40, with the triple returning
$70.50.
The week’s
marquee trot saw last week’s winner—and this week’s eight-hole
assignee—Somebody AS (Dan Dube) intent on the lead. He found it, vaulting over
8-5 choice DW’s NY Yank (Brennan) right a :27.3 opening quarter-mile. After a
:56.4 intermission, Melady’s Monet (Bartlett) moved from fourth…and move his
did.
“Melady” went
right up and over a stopping leader, opening nighttime daylight by the
1:25.3 three-quarters. Lorenzo Dream (Brent Holland), given a perfect tow, was
losing ground, while DW’s NY Yank was shuffled out.
Melady’s Monet,
widening to two lengths off the final turn, looked home, but Obrigado never
received the memo. Eighth at the half and seventh turning for home, Obrigado
did something unheard of. He made up 7¼ lengths to snap the Melady’s
Money by a head in 1:55.
“Lorenzo,”
Traverse Seelster (Tyler Buter) and “DW” came away with the minor awards.
For third choice 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 9-for-20 this season (30-for-43 lifetime). The
exacta paid $80, the triple returned $325 and the superfecta paid $2,148.
Note that since no one went home with
Friday night’s Pick 5, Saturday’s gimmick begins with a $3,060.97 carryover
(50-cent base wager on races 5 through 9).
Saturday night features two eliminations
for Yonkers Trot No. 60 and one for Messenger Stakes No. 59. Also, a tribute to
recently-retired Cat Manzi, who shall make the sixth race presentation, then
autograph photos for fans.
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.
