Rank outsider Flem N Em N (Jason Bartlett, $71.50) stunned 'em from first-up Saturday night, easily winning Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Pace.
Sitting early from post position No. 4, Flem N Em N saw Cam B Zipper (Brian Sears) break leaving. Sapphire City, also leaving, worked around pole-sitting BJs Guy (Matt Kakaley) before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. After a seemingly-soft :57.1 intermission, Flem N Em N moved briskly from fourth.
The same horse who tired noticeably in the pocket the previous week blew right on by here, disposing of Sapphire City nearing the 1:25.2 three-quarters. The tiring leader trapped both BJs Guy and last week's winner, Take It Back Terry (George Brennan), in behind.
Flem N Em N opened four lengths into the lane before winning by three and a quarter in 1:52.4. "Terry" shifted out and closed for second, with McErlean (Eric Goodell), BJs Guy and Sapphire City settling for the remainder.
For Flem N Em N, a 10-year-old Down Under Courage Under Fire gelding owned by Bamond Racing and trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr., it was his first win in two seasonal starts. The exacta paid $285.50, with the triple returning $1,504.
Special Saturday props to Ontario-bred Warrawee Needy (MacDonald, $5.90), whose zipped through his $21,000, 12th-race rivals in 1:51.4, fastest local mile of the season.
Note that since no one took down Saturday’s Pick 5, Monday’s gimmick begins with a carryover of $2,665.18 (50-cent base wager, races five through nine). The Raceway’s live season continues Monday (7:10 p.m.), then Tuesday (1 p.m.) and Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 p.m.).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)