Hannah Isabel (Cat Manzi)--an outsider in both post position and parimutuel proposition--upset the Friday night apple cart, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $37,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace
.
Leaving to the right of her six rivals (in one notch after a defection), "Hannah" watched early as 3-10 favourite Mach You And Me (Jason Bartlett) took over from Little Mermaid N (Stephane Bouchard) after a :28.1 opening quarter-mile. The fave was able to rate a :57.1 intermission before Monochromatic (Jim Pantaleano) came calling after an awkward getaway.
Mach You And Me disposed of that one, taking a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. All the while, Hannah Isabel was winding up wide from third-over.
The 37-1 shot had the momentum, and eventually, the victory. "Hannah" beat Little Mermaid N by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:54.2. Mach You And Me, Soiree (Jordan Stratton) and Monochromatic completed the cashers.
For Hannah Isabel, a five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight trained by Jean Drolet for co-owners Marilyn and Heiman Gross, she returned $77.50 (sixth choice) for her third win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $284, with the triple returning $677.
Friday night's co-featured $37,000 Open 'Cap Trot saw Bad Boy Billy (Pat Lachance) go to the house in a life-best 1:56.2.
Leaving from post No. 2, "Billy" led through comfy intervals of :28, :58.1 and 1:27. After ridding himself of first-up longshot Pembroke Prayer (Bartlett), Bad Boy Billy had a 2 1/2-length lead turning for home.
He held sway to the tune of a half-length, with Y F Little Guy (Pantaleano), Shoeless White Sox (Jeff Gregory), Force Nine (Steve Smith) and Victors Vicky (Manzi) across the track for the balance of the coin.
For Bad Boy Billy, a four-year-old Boy Band gelding trained by John Duer for owner William Weavver, he returned $9.50 (third choice) for his third victory in seven '10 tries. The exacta paid $92., with the triple returning $635.
Please note that after the Saturday and Memorial Day programs (usual first post of 7:10 p.m.), Yonkers will not race again until Saturday night, June 5, with scheduled eliminations for the Art Rooney and Lismore Paces.
That amounts to three "dark" evenings (Tuesday [June 1], Wednesday [June 2] and Friday [June 4]).
Horsemen are advised that there is a different draw schedule as well, with the entry box closing at 9 a.m. as opposed to the customary 4 p.m.
Draw Date - Race Date
Monday, 5/31 - No Draw
Tuesday, 6/1 - Saturday, 6/5
Wednesday, 6/2 - Monday, 6/7
Thursday, 6/3 - Tuesday, 6/8
Friday, 6/4 - Thursday 6/10
Saturday, 6/5 - No Draw
Scratches and drivers changes are made by 10 a.m. the morning after the draw, with one exception. The Thursday, June 10 changes close Saturday, June 5, at 10 p.m. The regular draw schedule/change times return Monday, June 7, when the Raceway goes back to its customary five-night-per-week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) live racing schedule, with first post each racing night at 7:10 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)