J P Jackpot employed the time-tested tactic--inside speed in a short field--to annex Yonkers Raceway's $60,000 Dominic Frinzi Invitational Pace on Saturday
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With Stephane Bouchard driving for trainer Jody Dunning, J P Jackpot made every pylon a winning one, beating his five rivals in a nippy 1:54.3.
Leaving from an inherited pole position (inside and outside entities Lis Deo and Arts Ragin Jet were both judges' scratches), J P Jackpot led through comfy early intervals of :28.2 and :58.1. Johnny Walker (Greg Merton) was pocketed, while Rare Jewel (Ryan Anderson) pulled from third.
Print It (Jason Bartlett), making his local and seasonal debut and carrying four consecutive Dover wins, was accorded the role of 4-5 favorite here. He wound up second-over while J P Jackpot found a 1:26.3 three-quarters.
The leader had two lengths to play with turning for home and was never threatened. J P Jackpot defeated Rare Jewel by a length and a quarter, with Nobles Grand Slam (Greg Grismore), Johnny Walker and Up Front Peyton (Jordan Stratton) completing the cashers. Print It obviously didn't appreciate the change of venue and finished last among the sextet.
For J P Jackpot, a six-year-old Stand Forever gelding co-owned by Ontarians Ian Fromowitz and John Fielding, paid $9 (second choice) for a winnin '09 debut. The exacta paid $98, with the triple returning $290.
The race was the second such local event named for Dominic Frinzi, a Harness Racing Hall of Famer who passed away last January at age 86. Mr. Frinzi, who was in attendance for the 2007 edition, was the long-serving president of Harness Horsemen International as well as a friend of the Raceway.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(Yonkers)