Yagonnakissmeornot Sets Track Record
Favourite Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube, $4.40) whipped second-choice Cinamony (George Brennan) in track record time Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $48,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Yagonnakissmeornot, back at Yonkers for the first time since being the bridesmaid in this spring’s final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker, was headstrong from post position No. 5. She found a :27-second opening quarter-mile, then demurred briefly to Cinamony as that one was parked into the second turn.
Yagonnakissmeornot was out and moving again, pulling pocket and reclaiming what she figured was rightfully hers at a :55.2 intermission.
Radar Contact (Jordan Stratton), who had left for a seat, moved from fourth at the 1:24 three-quarters. However, she couldn’t get close as the leader had a length and a half advantage into the lane. Yagonnakissmeornot then easily held off Cinamony, widening to two and a quarter lengths 1:51.2, a track record for aged pacing mares. Dune In Red (Tyler Buter) was third, with Skippin By (Brian Sears) and a Radar Contact/Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett) “heater” grabbing the minor moolah.
Yagonnakissmeornot is a six-year-old millionairess daughter of The Panderosa, trained by Rene Allard and owned by Allard Racing, Yves Sarrazin and Kapildeo Singh. The win was her sixth in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $14.80, with the triple returning $56.50.
Saturday’s 13-race card is the one of the Raceway’s finest all season, highlighted by the $500,000 Yonkers Trot (race six) and $500,000 Messenger Stakes (race eight), both second jewels in their respective Triple Crowns...not to mention a free hat giveaway (while supplies last). Hambletonian winner Pinkman and Cane Pace winner Dealt a Winner are after repeat performances.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)