J As Outlaw (George Brennan) whipped five Yonkers Raceway rivals, winning Saturday night's $38,000 Open Handicap Pace

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Leaving from post position No. 5 (in one notch after a defection) and the longest short in a short field, J As Outlaw sat early. A "Handsome" early battle ensued, as Handsome Prince (Jason Bartlett) and Handsome Harry (Stephane Bouchard) were both anxious...the latter caught three-deep. "Harry" grabbed the lead just after a :27.1 opening quarter-mile, then found a :56.4 intermission.

Down the backside, Psilvuheartbreaker (Cat Manzi)--who aborted a leave attempt--moved quickly from last. He went up and over Handsome Harry before the 1:25.1 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. "Heartbreaker" was tiring, however, and J As Outlaw, tracking from second-over, went by.

J As Outlaw won by that same length-and-a-quarter in 1:53.1, with Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance) getting past Psilvuheartbreaker for second. Handsome Harry and slight 2-1 choice Aliveandwell N (Ryan Anderson) completed the cashers while Handsome Prince raced for the joy of the competition.

For J As Outlaw, an eight-year-old J K Outlaw gelding trained by Lou Pena for Lightning Lane Stable, he returned $17.20 for his 13th win in 39 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $80.50 with the triple returning $252.50.

A Saturday night salute as well to the venerable veteran Special Report (Larry Stalbaum, three-for-three on the 12-race card). The eight-year-old Keystone Raider gelding, in his local return, won the $24,000, fifth-race pace (1:52.2) to edge closer to $1.5 million in career earnings. Special Report is owned by Hugo Iodice and trained by Kim Asher.

(Yonkers Raceway)