Favourite Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter, $5.30) was put to work early and in hand late Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

In play at the outset from post position No. 5, Jonsie Jones made the first lead before yielding to Inittowinafortune (George Brennan). The one, in turn, gave way to Justhaventmetuyet (Jason Bartlett) right at the :27.2 opening quarter-mile.

Wanting nothing to do with a three-hole, “Jonsie” mad her second advance, reclaimed the baton soon after and rating a :56.4 intermission.

Envious Hanover (Brian Sears) then moved from fourth, making only minimal impact toward a 1:25.1 three-quarters. Jonsie Jones owned a length and a half lead into the lane, then whipped a closing Sell A Bit (Jordan Stratton) by a length in 1:54. Third went to Justhaventmetuyet, with Sensationalgabby A (Dan Dube) and rank outsider Strings (Brent Holland) settling for the remainder.

For Jonsie Jones, an eight-year-old daughter of Tulane co-owned by LRL Racing and trained by Amber Buter, the win was her ninth in 34 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $46.40, with the triple returning $263.

A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Saturday night’s (October 24) Pick 5 wager begins with a carryover of $4,102.18. The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races seven through 11 during every racing program. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Friday evening), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program.

(Yonkers Raceway)