BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS,
NY, Saturday, January 14, 2017—Roland N Rock (Jordan Stratton, $6.90) launched
a decisive backside move Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Open
Handicap Pace.
Away fourth—from assigned post position No.
2—among the half-dozen, Roland N Rock watched as 11-10 choice Limelight Beach
(George Brennan) made the lead around P H Supercam (Jason Bartlett)..
Early intervals of :27.1 and a flat 57 seconds should
have served the leader well, but alas, nope.
Roland N Rock moved at the leader
by the 1:25.1 three-quarters, meeting no pushback whatsoever. ‘Roland’ opened a
length-and-a-half lead into the lane, then held off the rival he dragged in—a
last-early Blood Brother (Scott Zeron)—by a neck in 1:53.1.
P H Supercam was a trapped
third, with Sports Bettor (Dan Dube) and Somewhere Fancy (Matt Kakaley)
rounding out the payees. Limelight Beach retreated to last.
For second choice Roland N Rock, a now-5-year-old
Rocknroll Hanover gelding co-owned by Connie & Duane Roland trained by Rob
Harmon, it was a season-debuting victory. The exacta paid $57, with the triple
returning $319.50.
Saturday’s Pick 5 wager did not get hit, so
Sunday’s gimmick begins with a double-carryover of $6,426.84 (50-cent base
wager, races 6 through 10). Reminder first post for the ‘French’ 10-race card
is 11:30 AM.
-30-
