BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Sunday, July 23,
2017—Homicide Hunter (Brian Sears, $6.10) who missed a hard-charging head a
week ago, had no such angst this time around, winning Sunday afternoon’s (July
23rd), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $68,000 Open Handicap Trot.
The last of three early leaders, Homicide
Hunter—from assigned post position No. 7 among the dozen--took over after Bueno
Camino (Scott Zeron) and Springbank Sam N (Jordan Stratton) each had a spin in
the big chair.
Homicide Hunter, as the 2-1 wagering
choice, made the lead in the second turn, between a :28.3 opening quarter-mile
and :57.2 half. His ascension to the throne left Hemi Seelster (Jason Bartlett)
first-up, sitting outside.
Homicide Hunter
(1:28.3 three-quarters, mile in 1:55.4) hade few issues thereafter, widening to
2½ lengths in the lane before ‘running’ away by four lengths. The mile-and-a-quarter
went in a spiffy 2:24.3.
Buen Camino edged Springbank Sam N for
second, with Fashion Creditor (Eric Goodell) and Awsome Valley (Greg Merton)
settling for the minors.
Hemi Seelster, who has had success in
races where he’s been out every step, couldn’t replicate it here, winding up
last among the dozen.
For Homicide
Hunter, a 5-year-old Mr. Cantab gelding owned by Crawford Farms Racing and
trained by Chris Oakes, it was his fourth win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta
paid $25.20, with the triple returning $94.
Sunday’s
installment of the ‘New York, New York Double’ offered a winning combination of
5-Uncle Mojo (Saratoga’s 3rd race) and 2-I C Caviar (Yonkers’ 7th
race) paid $10.70 for every correct $1 wager. Total pool was $4,231.
Note the
Raceway’s post time next Sunday (July 30th) is 11:30 AM.
(Author’s
aside…I C Caviar was Bartlett’s 7,000th career win. Separate
story/pix shortly).
