American Lane and Brickyard Trouble led Yonkers Raceway's Friday night festivities, winning the co-featured $40,000 Open Handicaps.
American Lane – owner of the fastest trotting mile in the history of Yonkers Raceway – overcame the eight-hole to win the week's marquee trot, working out a two-hole trip and going right by for driver Cat Manzi. The people's choice adroitly found a seat behind Armbro Barrister (Jeff Gregory) as that one led seven rivals through unpressured fractions of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:28.3.
Light Headed (Jason Bartlett) tried it first-up, but didn't get close. Armbro Barrister, however, couldn't do a whole lot with the lead, as both American Lane and 34-1 rank outsider Nahcotta Jude (Jim Marohn) easily went past. American Lane won by two lengths in 1:57.3. Light Headed and Four Starz Trump (Dan Dube) earned the minor shares.
For American Lane, a six-year-old Primrose Lane gelding whose 1:55.1 effort at Yonkers in early June earned him a place in the annals, won for the 11th time in 31 tries this season. Carl Cito Jr. trains for co-owners David Scharf and Jerry Silva.
Brickyard Trouble (Ray Baynes) also won from a two-hole, sitting chilly from an inside starting venue in the distaff derby. Black Brinny (Tony Morgan) led through early intervals of :27.2 and :57.2. Western Graduate (Eric Abbatiello), last week's winner and this week's favourite, was caught behind a parked-from-the-outset Elusive Prey (Stephane Bouchard).
Western Graduate, forced wide early, engaged "Brinny" past a 1:25.4 three-quarters, then in and out of the final turn.
Meanwhile, Brickyard Trouble waited her turn. She ducked inside, getting past Black Brinny by a half-length in 1:55.3. Western Graduate settled for third after fighting the good fight, with Up Front Jan E Lu (Dube) and Ezpz Lemonsqueezy (Bartlett) completing the cashers.
For Brickyard Trouble, a five-year-old daughter of Artiscape owned and trained by Baynes, she recorded her sixth victory in 35 seasonal starts.
Earlier in the program, the stellar pacing mare Miss Galvinator A won her first race since becoming harness racing's newest millionaire on September 19th when she went the distance in the $28,000, third-race pace.
The nine-year-old Down Under daughter of Fake Left, well-representing Team Annunziata – owner Richard and trainer Ettore – rolled home in 1:53.4 by almost five lengths with Morgan doing the honours.
Friday's fourth race was aptly – as it turned out – named to welcome the return of Manzi, who was making his first Westchester appearance since getting the worst of an ugly accident at Chester in mid-August. Manzi won this race – a $25,000 high-conditioned trot – with Manfinity.
(Yonkers)