YR - STATESMAN N WINS SATURDAY 46G OPEN PACE

STATESMAN N WINS SATURDAY 46G OPEN PACE

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, August 17, 2013--Statesman N (Jordan Stratton) snapped favored Malak Uswaad N (Eric Goodell) on the money Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $46,000 Open Pace.

Watching early from post position No. 5, Statesman N saw China Grill (Steve Smith) seat Flem N Em N (Jason Bartlett) early Then, Mr. Hasani (Dan Dube) and 2-5 choice Malak Uswaad N stuck their noses in. It resulted in early fractions of :27.2 and 55-flat.

Pancetta (Brent Holland) then moved from fifth, with Statesman N towed along. Mr. Hasani owned the lead in and out of a 1:23.1 three-quarters, but was about done entering the lane.

Malak Uswaad N ducked in, Statesman N went wide and earned the nose nod in 1:51.3. China Grill, Mr. Hasani N and Pancetta settled for the small change.

    

For Statesman N, a 6-year-old Down Under Christian Cullen gelding trained by Mark Harder co-owners Our Horse Cents and J&T Silva Stables and Peter Venturini, he returned $11.40 (second choice) for his sixth win (second consecutive) in 20 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $18.80, with the triple returning $46.80.

The driving colony shared the wealth during the 13-race card. Holland won four races, while Stratton and Bartlett each won three. George Brennan added a couple, while Goodell won once.

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.