Somewhere In L A and Tight Lines shared the spotlight Saturday, June 9, winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $44,000 Open Handicaps.

Favoured Somewhere In L A, from post 8 this week, was parked past a :26.4 opening quarter-mile to make the lead. He did so around Always at My Place, with Soho Wallstreet A away third.

Somewhere In L A found a :56.1 intermission before invading Barimah A moved from fifth. The one had an eventful effort, looking around while on a line, then seemingly stalled before getting in gear again.

Meanwhile, the leader remained so in and out of a 1:24 three-quarters, the advantage a length entering the lane. Always At My Place extricated himself from the cones, but missed in Somewhere In L A's season’s-best 1:52. Barimah A was third, with Pacing Major N and Theartofconfusion A grabbing the remainder.

For Somewhere In L A, a seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P & Gandolfo Stables and trained by Rich Banca, it was his fifth win in a dozen starts this season. Driven by Jason Bartlett, he paid $4.80 to win.

The weekly trotting feature had a different look early when 9-10 choice Seasoned Saint broke before the start and wound up a ‘did not finish’, appearing injured.

Bluebird Jesse made the lead, going fractions of :28 and :57.4 while pocketing 82-1 bombardier Fearless Man.

Tight Lines, away third from post-position 4, moved to the leader down the backside the second time. He was the new kid on the top at the 1:25.3 three-quarters, widening to a length-and-three-quarters in and out of the final turn.

From there, Tight Lines closed the sale, winning by two-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:54. Bluebird Jesse easily held second, with Andy Ray, Uva Hanover and DW’s NY Yank relegated to the minors.

For second choice Tight Lines, a five-year-old Yankee Glide gelding co-owned by his trainer-driver, Jesmeral Stable and William Richardson, it was his first board finish in four tries this season. Driven by Jeff Gregory, he paid $8.10 to win.

(With files from Yonkers Raceway)