Opens To 'Cookie' & Super Manning
Yonkers Raceway's Black Friday night $37,000 co-featured Open Handicaps -- Pace for the ladies and Trot for anyone duly deputized -- were won by a perfectly-pocketed Handsoffmycookie (Dan Dube, $6.70) and a second-up Super Manning (Matt Kakaley, $4.40).
Leaving from post position No. 4, Handsoffmycookie was in play early, making the first lead. She then gave it up to 8-5 choice Feeling You (Jason Bartlett), who worked her way from an eight-hole impost right at the :26.4 opening quarter-mile.
Moving toward the :56.3 intermission, some unwanted company arrived in the form of Hot List (George Brennan). That one had body -- but not bike -- in front as Feeling You maintained her slim lead through a cut-throat 1:25.1 three-quarters. It was Marty Party (Eric Carlson) second-over, while 'Cookie' was all dressed up and waiting for someplace to go.
She found that place in the presence of the passing lane, edging clear by a length and a half in 1:54.3. Second went to Marty Party, with Hot List, Royal Cee Cee N (Brian Sears) and Feeling You rounding out the payees.
For second choice Handsoffmycookie, a four-year-old millionairess daughter of Art Major owned by JFE Enterprises and trained by Scott DiDomenico, it was her eighth win in 30 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $76, with the triple returning $362.50.
The week's marquee trot saw 6-5 favourite Super Manning -- like 'Cookie' a four-hole beginner -- patiently waiting his turn.
Brandos Muscle Man (Eric Goodell) and Lorenzo Dream (Brent Holland) were the early newsmakers through intervals of :28.1 and :59-seconds flat.
Meladys Monet (Dube) then started the train, with Super Manning towed in behind. The night was just about over for 'Brando' before a 1:27.1 three-quarters, with 'Melady' opening a couple of lengths in and out of the final turn.
However, Super Manning was about to get the memo. He had the leader in his sights at mid-stretch, drawing away late to win by a length in 1:55.3. A shuffled Lorenzo Dream rallied for third, with Brandos Muscle Man and Calchips Brute (Bartlett) settling for the remainder.
Super Manning, a homebred five-year-old Diamond Goal gelding owned by Joseph Pennacchio and trained by Kevin Carr, is now six-for-27 this season. The exacta paid $53, the triple returned $282.50 and the superfecta paid $783.
Yonkers welcomed Cat Manzi back in the bike Friday night, as he finished sixth with his lone drive.
Friday's Pick 5 wager was not hit, meaning Saturday night's wager -- complete with a $2,688.93 carryover -- now offers a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager on races five though nine offered every racing night.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)