Lone lass Backstreet Hanover, driven by Tyler Buter, eased from the pocket Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $38,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The field was reduced to seven before the start when Tall Cotton came up ill, then effectively reduced by another when last week’s winner, Super Manning (Matt Kakaley), jumped early as the slight second choice.

That left Lorenzo Dream (Brian Sears) to cut out his own mile to the early tune of :28 and :58. Backstreet Hanover, leaving from post position No. 4 as the tepid 19-10 favourite, was content to pursue from the two-hole.

With just mile pressure from longshot Fortunista (Eric Carlson), 'Lorenzo' found a 1:27.2 three-quarters. He owned a length and a half into the lane, but could not stave off 'Backstreet' on his back.

The ma’am went by, with the final margin three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3. Fort Valley As (Dan Dube), Blacktuxwhitesocks (Jordan Stratton) and Fortunista rounded out the payees.

Backstreet Hanover, a six-year-old daughter of Andover Hall owned by David Hamm and trained by Allan Johnson, returned $5.90 for her fourth win in a dozen seasonal starts. The exacta paid $29.40, the triple returned $190.50 and the superfecta paid $761.

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily. Note Saturday’s Derby Day program from Churchill Downs begins at 10:30 a.m., with Yonkers’ windows opening a half-hour prior.

(Yonkers Raceway)