BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Friday, January 10, 2014--Yonkers Raceway's first-of-the-season
Friday night $33,000 Open Handicaps--Pace for the ladies and Trot who all knew
the secret password--were won by favored Ideal in Vegas (catch-driver Jason
Bartlett, $4.20) and DW's NY Yank (George Brennan, $9.50).
The murky distaff derby was pared to half-dozen when the bookenders--inside
Sweet Hedge and outside Cocoa Beach--both came up ill. Then Ginger Spice
N (Eric Goodell), who inherited the pole, jumped it off at the outset.
The remaining quintet were led by even-money Ideal in Vegas. From what became
post position No. 3, she two-moved around Palm Patrol (Larry Stalbaum), then
never had an anxious moment. Sub-stations of :28,2, :58.2 and 1:27.1 led to a
length victory in 1:55.4. Magic Starlight (Brennan) skimmed the cones for
second, with Economy Terror (Mark MacDonald), Palm Patrol and Rockaround Sue
(Jordan Stratton) rounding out the payees.
For
Ideal in Vegas, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal owned by Shore Thing
Stables and trained by
Anthony
Mannino, her 2014 debut was her 19th career victory. The exacta paid $17.20,
with the triple returning $37.80.
The week's marquee trot was a two-speed number, as DW's NY Yank, ordered behind
the eight-ball, took over from Likeabatoutahell (Sears) before the a :28.2
opening quarter-mile. A 1:00.4 middle half (:59.2, 1:29.1) and no outer flow
gave him a 2½ -length lead into the lane.
Likeabatoutahell took his shot diving inside, but missed a head in 1:58.1.
Zooming (Tyler Buter) rallied for a non-threatening third as the slight 3-1
choice, with War Cry Hall (Bartlett) and Lorenzo Dream (Goodell) completed the
cashers. Super Manning (Matt Kakaley) broke early as the second choice.
For fourth choice "DW," a 5-year-old
Dilbert Hanover gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver
Bruscemi and Howard Taylor, he went right past $300,000 in career earnings with
this '14 first-out victory. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $38.20,
the triple returned $171 and the superfecta paid $575.
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 daily.
