YONKERS,
NY, Friday, September 21, 2012--Yonkers Raceway's usual Friday night pair of
$44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps--for distaff pacers and any-gender-out-there
trotters--were won by Rock N Soul (Jason Bartlett, $4.80) and Neighsay Hanover
(Jeff Gregory, $7.80).
Rock N Soul, away from post position No. 6 as the 7-5 favorite, worked around
Ticket to Rock (Cat Manzi) and made the lead before a :27.3 opening
quarter-mile. She then rated a :29-4 next station (:57.2 half) as P Note Blue
Chip (George Brennan)--who had tucked fifth-was out again.
"P Note" prompted the prom in and out of the 1:25 three-quarters,
giving way grudgingly as Rock N Soul owned a length-and-quarter lead into the
lane. She then held off a second-up Naughtytiltheend (Brent Holland) by that
same margin in 1:52.4, with Ticket to Rock, Sir Jillian Z Tam (Pat Lachance)
and Shaky Hanover (Eric Goodell) grabbing the remainder.
For Rock N Soul, a 5-year-old
daughter of Rocknroll Hanover co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke,
Weaver Bruscemi, Howard Taylor and Frank Baldachino, it was her sixth win in 23
'12 tries (third in last four). The exacta paid $35.60, with the triple
returning $132.50. The lass now has career earnings approaching $890,000.
Millionaire Neighsay Hanover, from post No,. 3, sat loose-pocketed as
Lorenzo Dream (Bartlett) sailed through intervals of :29.1, :58.3 and 1:26.3.
However, the legs began to get heavy soon thereafter, with 24-1 shot Take My
Picture taking out of third. All the while, 4-5 choice Big Sky Storm (Jordan
Stratton) was leaving himself with too much work to do.
"Lorenzo" owned a diminishing couple of lengths turning for home, but
was about done. It was Neighsay Hanover going inside, whipping Take My
Picture by a neck in 1:56.2. Lorenzo's Dream, Brickyard Toots (Ray Baynes) and
Big Sky Storm settled for the minor spoils.
For Neighsay Hanover, a 6-year-old son of Muscles Yankee trained by Ray
Schnittker for co-owners himself, Charles Iannazzo, Ted Gewertz and Fam Alber
Horse, it was his sixth win (as second choice) in 19 seasonal starts. The
exacta paid $305, the triple returned $991 and the superfecta paid $4,957.
The $1.8 million New York of Champions is scheduled for Saturday
evening. Eight, $225,000 sire stakes finals--for 2- and 3-year-old of both
sexes and gaits--comprise the richest night of racing in the state. Fans in
attendance receive both a T-Shirt and a racing-themed plate, while supplies
last.
The
Raceway continues its normal five-night-per-week live schedule, with first post
every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting
available around the NYRA schedule.
