By
Dave Little, for the Meadowlands
EAST
RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Driver Joe Bongiorno waited patiently for his opportunity,
and when it came, he unleashed B Yoyo, who rallied furiously through the
stretch to take the Friday night feature at the Meadowlands, a $20,000
conditioned event for trotters.
The
7-year-old gelded son of Striking Sahbra, who won this race a week ago as the
even-money favorite, was away well and sat in the three hole from the quarter
to the stretch. The conditions of the race may have been the same as a week ago
but the task was far tougher this time around with the field including the likes
of Opulent Yankee, who was off a dominant score at Yonkers, and 2016
Townsend-Ackerman winner Dayson, who was sent to the gate as the 3-5 public
choice.
After
an energetic opening quarter of :27.3, Opulent Yankee yielded the front to
Dayson, who seemingly had everything under control after rating the half in
:56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.3. But at crunch time, he came up empty.
Enter
B Yoyo, this time a 10-1 outsider who was sitting in a tough spot before
swerving off the rail with three-sixteenths to go and out into the five path.
He then charged home in a final quarter of :26.2 to win by a widening 2
lengths. Broadway Donna, the Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly champion from a
year ago, was second in her seasonal debut. Opulent Yankee was third with
Dayson fourth.
“This
horse is razor sharp and loves the Meadowlands,” said Richard Johnson, trainer
of B Yoyo. “He has a shot to be as good (as Dayson and Opulent Yankee). He is a
very versatile horse.”
B
Yoyo returned $22.80 to his backers and upped his seasonal stats to five wins
in 16 starts after completing the mile in 1:52.3.
A
LITTLE MORE: A reminder to Meadowlands fans, the second annual Spring Beer
Fest has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 10. The rainy weather expected to
hit the Big M caused the postponement of the event, which had been slated for
Saturday, May 13. … All-source wagering totaled $2,449,987. … Racing resumes
Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
