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Sunday, January 17, 2016

ASLAN WINS SATURDAY 32G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, January 16, 2016—Aslan (Brian Sears, $6.30) was there when it counted Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $32,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Sitting chilly from post position No. 4, he watched as 3-2 choice Melmerby Beach (Jason Bartlett) moved around Journeyman (George Brennan) for the lead. Melmerby Beach seemingly had his own way through intervals of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:25.2.

Between the second and third substations, Aslan engaged from fourth. He had some work to do as “Melmerby” had a length-and-three-quarter lead into the lane. However, Aslan wasn’t done, fighting the good fight before prevailing by a neck in 1:53.4.

Journeyman, rank outsider Panic Disorder (Dan Dube) and Hugh Hefner N (Jordan Stratton) rounded out the payees.  

For second choice Aslan, a now-7-year-old Mach Three gelding owned (as O’Sullivan Racing) and trained by Tony O’Sullivan, it was his first win in a pair of seasonal starts. The exacta paid $17, with the triple returning $58.

The Raceway’s season continues with a “French” Sunday (post time 11:55 AM), Monday (7:10 PM) and Tuesday (1 PM).