BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, November 11, 2017—Favored
The Real One (Pat Lachance, $5.60) went by a stubborn leader before holding off
the back markers Saturday night (Nov. 11th), winning Yonkers
Raceway’s $50,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Sitting chilly from post position No. 4 as
the temps hovered around freezing, The Real One watch pole-sitting Bakersfield
(Greg Merton) stuff an antsy Orillia Joe (Brent Holland) in behind, then rebuff
a second-move by Dr. J Hanover (Brian Sears).
All this fun came during ‘flat’ early
intervals of :27 and :56.
Down the backside the second time, The
Real One moved from fifth, circling wide around a retreating ‘Dr. J’ and
setting after Bakersfield. He had that one in his sights at a 1:24.4
three-quarters, taking over soon after.
The Real One owned a short lead into the
lane, getting ‘first run’ against both Caviart Luca (George Brennan) and Bit of
a Legend N (Jordan Stratton). He whipped the former by a neck in 1:53, with the
latter third, beaten a length-and-a-quarter.
Thisjetsabookin’ (Jason Bartlett) and
Orillia Joe settled for the minors.
For The Real One, a ‘Veteran’ 7-year-old
Mach Three gelding trained by his driver for owner Helene Filion, it was his
sixth win in 23 seasonal starts (career earnings over $900,000). The exacta
paid $39.40, with the triple returning $106.
Reminder that ‘French’ Sunday matinees
return tomorrow (Nov. 12th), with first post at 11:25 AM.
