Ella Michelle A (Joe Bongiorno, $7.70) won the draw for the inner half of the gate, then left the other lasses at her mercy Friday night (January 18), easily winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Ella Michelle A stuffed both Amateur Hour (Brent Holland) and Clear Idea (Matt Kakaley) in behind, while 3-2 favourite Itty Bitty (Jason Bartlett) was forced to retreat after she, too, tried leaving.

Meanwhile, Ella Michelle A had nary an issue (:27.4, :57, 1:25.4, 1:55.1), with Clear Idea faltering after a weak second move. Ella Michelle A had a couple of lengths in and out of the final turn before winning by three. Culinary Delight N (Larry Stalbaum) offered late lane pace to get second, with a tough-trip Itty Bitty, 53-1 rank outsider Made Of Jewels AS (Troy Beyer) and Amateur Hour settling for the minors.

For second choice Ella Michelle A, a now-eight-year-old Down Under daughter of Cammibest owned and trained by Chris Scicluna, it was a winning seasonal debut. The exacta paid $89.50, the triple returned $324.50 and the superfecta paid $2,896.

(Yonkers Raceway)