BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, June 19,
2015—Pocket-sitting Tipitina (Jason Bartlett, $10.40) beat pace-setting Jonsie
Jones (Tyler Buter) in a two-speed number Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s
featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Jonsie Jones made the lead, working around
Tipitina before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. The latter, assigned post
position No. 2, has moved past pole-sitting Magic Starlight (George
Brennan) at the outset.
“Jonsie” found a :55.4 intermission before
getting token, first-up advances from Watch Dali (Jordan Stratton). That meek
move didn’t do much for a second-over 8-5 choice For the Ladies N (Brian Sears)
going toward a 1:23.2 three-quarters.
Jonsie Jones owned a length-and-a-quarter
lead into the lane, but Tipitina edged out and by. The margin was
three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. For the Ladies N rallied into third,
while Sir Jillian Z Tam (Pat Lachance) and Magic Starlight settled for the
remainder.
For third choice Tipitina, a 5-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover owned by
Rags to Riches of PA and trained by Mike Forte, it was her sixth win in seven
17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $41.60, with the triple returning $177.50.
Special Friday props to the invading lass Cinamony (Brennan, $6.50), whose
snappy 1:51.3 effort in the $25,000, fifth-race pace matched (Rocklamation,
Venus Delight) the track record for 4-year-old mares.
The Raceway’s live season continues
Saturday night (post time 7:10 PM). After that, it’s Monday (7:10 PM),
Tuesday (1 PM), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 PM). Note
Sunday matinees are done until November. Evening simulcasting accompanies all
night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.
