BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
First division--Ramalama (Yannick Gingras, $5.80), part of a three-headed Ron Burke-trainer entry, prevailed from the pocket. After pole-sitting Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) seated everyone (:28.1, :56.4), Ramalama played along from post position No. 2. Eightunrdolarbill (Brian Sears) pulled from third, going nowhere toward the 1:25 three-quarters.
That compromised a second-up Ginger and Fred (Matt Kakaley), who went wide to
nowhere. Meanwhile.4-5 choice Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), who floated into an
early five-hole, was minding her business while improving her position.
Warrawee Koine owned a two-length lead into the lane, with Ramalama--who tired
badly on the lead a week ago--edging out and gaining. She whipped a
pylon-skimming Anndrovette by a head in 1:53.1. Warrawee Koine faded to
third.
Ramalama, a 4-year-old daughter of Bettor's Delight co-owned (as Burke Racing)
by her trainer, Weaver Bruscemi and Our Horse Cents Stable, it was her second
win (entry was second choice) in six seasonal starts (2-for-5 in series). The
exacta paid $10.40, with the triple returning $26.40.
Second division--The lasses left in post order (:28.2, :56.3, 1:25), which
played to the advantage of Handsoffmycookie (Tetrick). "Cookie" had
only token, first-up pressure from longshot Western Silk (catch-driver
Bartlett), but 8-5 Feeling You (Tyler Buter) was waiting her turn in behind.
Feeling You ($5.50) first went in, then out, going by Handsoffmycookie and
winning by a half-length in 1:52.3. Handsoffmycookie held second over Krispy
Apple (Kakaley), with that one making a break nearing the wire. Krsipy Apple
crossed the line third, but was set down to fourth after being lapped on to
Rocklamation (Gingras).
Second choice Feeling You, a 6-year-old daughter of Cambest trained by Amber
Buter for co-owners Buter the driver, Stephen Oldford and Oldford Farms, has
five win in eight seasonal starts (3-for-5 in series).The exacta paid $16.60,
with the triple returning $37.80.
Third division--Darena Hanover (Gingras) and Keeper's Destiny (Sears) played
leapfrog on the lead during a :27.3 opening quarter-mile "Darena,"
part of the 9-10 favored entry, found a 57-second intermission before the fresh
Lasix of Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube), from post No. 5, took out of fifth.
That one cut into the margin of the leader through the 1:25.1 three-quarters,
then kept on keepin' on. She won by a length-and-quarter in 1:53.3. Second went
to Keeeper's Destiny. with Darena Hanover tiring to third.
Third choice Ramona Disomma ($6.90), a homebred 8-year-old daughter of Pacific
Fella owned by Anatolia Racing Stable and trained by Rene Allard, is now
4-for-9 this season (2-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $27.40, with the
triple returning $48.80.
The leading eight Matchmaker point-earners were Anndrovette (325), Feeling You
(308), Camille (275), Rocklamation (274), Krispy Apple (270), Ramalama (255),
Ginger and Fred (232) and Bettor B Lucky (220). The "second eight"
include Warrawee Koine (212½ ), Eightunrdolarbill (205), Ramona Disomma (200),
Royal Cee Cee N (199½), Rock N Soul (167), Handsoffmycookie (163), Full Picture
(162) and Doc's Hope (152).
Please note that these are not necessarily the entrants for the Apr. 27 final
($285,000) and consolation ($75,000), until determined by the race
office.
Friday night's $38,500 Open Handicap Trot was won by eight-hole assignee
Imperial Count (Buter, $7.70) in 1:56.
Saturday's
card features the fifth (final) round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing
Series, going as four, $50,000 divisions.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, 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.
