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Saturday, November 8, 2014

VENUS DELIGHT WINS FRIDAY 35G FEATURED DISTAFF PACE

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Friday, November 7, 2014—Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace was won by odds-on favorite Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett, $3.70).

Assigned outside her six foes, Venus Delight, a stone closer who had run out of racetrack in her last couple, showed some rare early foot. She left into a four-hole as Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton) worked around Scandalous Hanover (Brian Sears).

Cheapy early fractions (:28, :58.2) did not figure to help “Venus,” as she began her second move with Campanile (Tyler Buter) second-up.

Robin Cruiser maintained her lead in and out of the 1:26.3 three-quarters, up a half-length turning for home. In what turned out to a match race through the lane, Venus Delight stuck her tongue out on the money, whipping “Robin” by a nose in 1:54.4. Campanile, Scandalous Hanover and Southwind Trini (Jim Marohn Jr.) completed the cashers.

For Venus Delight, a 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by Bamond Racing and trained by PJ Fraley, it was her seventh win in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.60, with the triple returning $30.60.


            The Raceway's five-program-per-week live schedule changes, with first post every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM, and the first of six Sunday matinees (replacing Tuesday evenings) beginning this weekend at 11 AM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.