The favoured Meladys Monet (Jason Bartlett, $4.60) was just barely good enough Sunday morning (January 21), but had enough to win Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The field of seven, which was scratched down from nine, went postward as the first race of the card and was the first of seven ‘French’ trots.

After having started from Post 6 instead of Post 8 due to the scratches, Meladys Monet made the first lead and was unimpeded by a breaking Tight Lines (driven by Jeff Gregory). ‘Melady’ found the quarter-mile station in :29.4 before briefly giving up the front to Super Manning (Jordan Stratton).

The favourite wanted no part of the pocket, so he retook prior to the :59.1 half. Cash Me Out (Eric Goodell) then moved from fifth, and just about got even with Meladys Monet by the 1:30.1 three-quarters. After disposing of Cash Me Out around the 1:58.4 milepost, Meladys Monet then opened up by a length-and-three quarters into the lane, and would ultimately need all out it.

Meladys Monet (8) gets it done in Yonkers' Open Trot on Sunday, January 21, 2018 (Photo courtesy Chris Brokate)

A ground-saving Moneycounts De Vie (Matt Kakaley) found room up the cones and surged, but the 18-1 rank outsider missed a nose. Meladys Monet found paydirt in time, and closed out the mile-and-a-quarter affair in 2:27.4.

Rock Of Cashel (Brent Holland) finished third. Dog Gone Lucky (Dan Dube) and Cash Me Out settled for the remaining cheques.

Meladys Monet is a nine-year-old Revenue S gelding owned by Melady Enterprises and trained by Kevin McDermott. It the first win of Meladys Monet’s season. The exacta paid $43.20 and the triactor returned $229.50.

Sunday’s ‘New York, New York Double’ offered a winning combination of 5-Control Group (Aqueduct’s third race) and 3-Royal Bachelor (Yonkers’ fifth race) paid $11.80 for every correct $1 wager. Total pool was $5,942.

(With files from Yonkers Raceway)