Yonkers Raceway concluded its 2017 season on Sunday (December 17) with Meladys Monet (Jason Bartlett, $16.60) winning a certifiably-strange $40,000 Open Handicap Trot.

A happy half-dozen went postward for the late-morning opener, which may have proven a bit too early for the two favourites. Gural Hanover (driven by George Brennan), the 4-5 choice, broke stride in the first turn. Meanwhile, the 9-5 second choice Smalltownthrowdown (Yannick Gingras), assumed a quick open-length lead, but then broke stride down the backside.

The break left B Yoyo (Joe Bongiorno) as the default leader, with Tight Lines (Jeff Gregory) pocketed and slow-starting ‘polester’ Muscles on Fire (Brent Holland) third. After early intervals of :29.1 of :59.2, Meladys Monet took out of fifth.

Meladys Monet, who had disappointed as the public’s preference in his past two starts, advanced toward the leader at the 1:28.1 three quarters.

Meladys Monet took over early in the lane and got just enough of a ‘running start’ before Tight Lines found the passing lane. The former beat the latter by a neck in 1:56.4. Gural Hanover, who recovered and raced second over, wound up third. B Yoyo and Muscles on Fire settling for the minor awards.

Meladys Monet (6), pictured trotting home a winner in Yonkers Raceway’s Open Handicap on Sunday, December 17, 2017 (Mike Lizzi Photo)

For third choice Meladys Monet -– an eight-year-old Revenue S gelding owned by Melady Enterprises and trained by Kevin McDermott –- it was his seventh win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $109 and the triple returned $388.50.

Sunday’s ‘New York, New York Double’ saw a combination of 5-Storm Prophet (Aqueduct’s third race) and 4-Cash Me Out (Yonkers’ sixth race), the pair of favourites, return $8.30 for every correct dollar ticket. The total pool was $5,709.

The mandatory Pick 5 payout took place in the last five races of the 11-race card. The winning combination of 2/6/8/3/5 paid $337.75 for the requisite 50-cent wager. The total pool was $3,855.

Yonkers’ 2018 season is scheduled to begin Sunday, January 7, the way it ended, with a ‘French’ matinee. Post time is to be announced, and all ‘18 dates are pending approval of the New York State Gaming Commission.

(Yonkers Raceway)​