Leonidas A, who scored a Grand Circuit win in the Potomac Pace at Rosecroft last year, kicked off his 2021 campaign with a 1:55.4 victory in the $30,000 Open Pace on Monday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Driven by Austin Siegelman, Leonidas A got away in the sixth spot and watched as Moonshine Kisses (Mark MacDonald) carved out fractions of :27.4 and :57.2 for the opening half. On the third turn, driver Joe Bongiorno tipped out first-over from fourth with Rollwithpapajoe, giving Carlisimo (Scott Zeron) a second-over journey and Leonidas A the third-over ride.

Rollwithpapajoe and Moonshine Kisses were on even terms at the 1:26.4 three-quarters, and though Rollwithpapajoe got an advantage on the far turn, he was unable to clear. Meanwhile, Siegelman moved Leonidas A out four-wide on the bend, with Carlisimo ready to strike three-wide.

In the lane, Carlisimo had first crack at the leaders and went by them to take a narrow advantage in upper stretch, but Leonidas A was kicking home even better on the far outside, and it would be Leonidas A prevailing by a length. Carlisimo was a solid second, and Ostro Hanover (Tyler Buter), who was also making his first start of the year, advanced from seventh to third in the last quarter. Fine Diamond (Brent Holland) and Rollwithpapajoe rounded out the top five.

Sheena McElhiney trains Leonidas A, a six-year-old gelding by Mach Three, for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A has now won 25 times from 51 career starts, and he pushed his earnings to $231,848. Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Leonidas A paid $3.90 to win. The 6-5 Exacta with Carlisimo returned $27.00, and the Trifecta of 6-5-7 kicked back $277.50.

Live racing resumes at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m., and the 10-race card features three divisions of the first leg of the M Life Rewards Ladies Pacing Series.

(Yonkers)