BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, March 3, 2017—Tessa
Seelster (George Brennan $18.20) survived from first-up Friday night,
winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Away fourth from post position No. 4,
‘Tessa’ saw Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) and Lispatty (Mark MacDonald) want
in early. The latter reclaimed from the former just after a :27.2 opening
quarter-mile. It was a soft :56.4 intermission before the eventual winner
moved.
Tessa Seelster engaged toward a 1:25
three-quarters, while Apple Bottom Jeans (Matt Kakaley) was gapping that one’s
advances. This helped none of the outside assignees, notably
just-over-even-money Mackenzie A (Joedan Straton), Mach it a Par (Jason
Bartlett) and Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron). Only one of those would be
heard from late.
It was Lispatty taking a short lead into
the lane, but Tessa Seelster was about to wear her down. ‘Tessa’ prevailed
late, holding off a knifing-through Mach it a Par by a neck in 1:54.3.
Shesjustadelight N, Lispatty and Apple Bottom Jeans came away with the
remainder, with Bedroomconfessions sixth Mackenzie A a went-nowhere last among
the octet.
For fourth
choice Tessa Seelster, a 5-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned (as Burke
Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, it was her
third win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $70.50, with the triple
returning $300.
