Veteran trotter Meladys Monet, a career winner of more than $1.8 million, picked up another Open victory on Friday night (August 27) at Yonkers Raceway and now boasts a dozen wins in his 12-year-old campaign.

Friday night’s featured race was the $45,000 Open Handicap and the popular trotter Meladys Monet staved off challenges by Champagne On Ice (Joe Bongiorno) and Chaptiama (George Brennan) to win in 1:54.2.

Jason Bartlett was in the sulky for the Revenue S gelding's 79th career triumph. Meladys Money is trained by Hermann Heitmann for owner Melady Enterprises LLC.

He paid $3.40 to win and led a $6.50 exacta and a $24.40 trifecta.

Only four other Standardbreds -- and just two trotters that are nine years younger -- racing in North America currently have more wins in 2021 than Meladys Monet. Five-year-old pacing gelding Catch Me Conrad and three-year-old trotting filly Swan Fine Lady have 14 wins each this year while three-year-old trotting colt Top Me Off and eight-year-old pacing gelding Dontcallmefrancis both have 13 wins.

Meladys Monet, who has earned $178,640 through 23 starts this year, last won 12 races in a career-best season ($364,450) as a six-year-old in 2015.

The Pick 6 was not hit again on Friday night at Yonkers Raceway, thanks mostly to upsets by 21-1 Well Done Son and 7-1 Kerrin Joseph A. As a result, when racing resumes at Yonkers on Monday night (August 30), there will be a $5,414.93 carryover and a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the wager.

The guarantee is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 6, courtesy of TrackMaster, are available here. Yonkers Raceway's Pick 6 has a takeout rate of 20 per cent, as do the track's nightly Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagers.

Monday night’s 12-race program at Yonkers kicks off at 7:15 p.m.

(With files from Yonkers Raceway)