BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 24,
2017—Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett, $6) was the third and last leader Friday
night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Into the game early from assigned post
position No. 7, Mach it a Par waited her turn as Empress Deo (Matt Kakaley) and
Lispatty (Mark MacDonald) took turns with the lead. Mach it a Par grabbed her
chance just after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile.
After a 29-secone next substation (:56.2
half), it was 48-1 rank outsider For the Ladies N (Dan Dube) taking out of
fourth. Regil Elektra (Brent Holland) was second-up, while 19-10 choice
Mackenzie A (Jordan Stratton), in her U-S parimutuel debut, was behind
that one
Mach it a Par continued her work night in
and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the
lane. Despite drifting a bit, she held sway, negating the sharp close of
Mackenzie A to win by a head in 1:52.4. Third went to Lispatty, with Empress
Deo and Regil Elektra rounding out the payees.
The five cashers were separated by just 1¾
lengths at the line.
For second
choice Mach it a Par, a 7-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by
D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, Gandolfo & T L P Stables and
trained by Richard Banca, it was her first win in two seasonal starts. The
exacta paid $28, with the triple returning $75.50.
