Pole-sitter J P Jackpot protected the pocket, then pounced in the passing lane Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $48,000 Open Handicap Pace

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With Stephane Bouchard driving for trainer Jody Dunning, J P Jackpot--the 9-5 choice despite being AWOL three weeks--nonetheless flashed that inner-half-of-the-gate early foot.

He released last week's winner, Blue Boy (Jason Bartlett), just after a 27-second opening quarter-mile. Blue Boy then rated a :56.2 intermission before King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) visited first-up. Blue Boy did away with that intruder after a 1:25.1 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.

However, all Blue Boy did was escort J P Jackpot into the photo booth. The latter ducked inside and dashed right by, edging to a three-quarter length win in 1:53.3. Blue Boy saved second over a second-over Tenant in Chief (Brent Holland), with Four Trumps A (Larry Stalbaum) and Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis) completing the cashers.

For J P Jackpot, a six-year-old Stand Forever gelding Canadian co-owned by Ian Fromowitz (in the winner's circle) and John Fielding, he paid $5.60 for his fifth win in 19 seasonal starts. The exacta (first two wagering choices) paid $26, with the triple returning $266.

J P Jackpot's career cash went over the $417,000 plateau.

(Yonkers Raceway)