BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Saturday, November 30, 2019—Mac’s Jackpot (Brent Holland, $20), despite four
weeks off, a scratched-sick line in between and a first-over trip Saturday
night (Nov. 30th), annexed Yonkers Raceway’s $42,000 Open Handicap
Pace.
Away fourth from
assigned post position No. 2, Mac’s Jackpot found himself in behind
Havefaithinme N (Jason Bartlett), Bettor’s Fire N (Ron Cushing) and Fine
Diamond (Jordan Stratton).
Havefaithinme N
led through intervals of :27.1 and a flat 56 seconds before Mac’s Jackpot
moved. He led the conga line which included The Real One (Pat Lachance) and
17-10 choice Saying Grace N (Jim Marohn Jr.). Havefaithinme N found a 1:24
three-quarters, but was about to get collared. Mac’s Jackpot took over soon
thereafter, with The Real One in pursuit.
Mac’s Jackpot did
close the sale from early in the lane, holding off The Real One by a length in
1:51.3 while matching a season’s-best effort. Saying Grace N was a
non-threatening third, with Havefaithinme N and The Wall (Joe Bongiorno)
picking off the remainder.
For fifth choice
Mac’s Jackpot, a 5-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Howard &
Michael Ouriel and trained by Jeff Smith, it was her ninth win (third
consecutive) in 26 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $97.50, the triple returned
$426 and the superfecta paid $1,171.
