Harness racing often refers to 14-year-old Standardbred racehorses as ‘senior citizens’. One of those senior citizens just so happened to get up for a 32-1 upset Tuesday afternoon. The veteran pacer was probably feeling pretty good about himself, but he was far from the eldest individual celebrating the win.
Proving he’s not quite ready to join AARP -- the American Association of Retired Pacers -- 14-year-old Sakra Fella (Scott Zeron, $66.50) showed a group of youngsters what for, as he won Yonkers Raceway’s Tuesday matinee opener.
Sakra Fella closed from fourth through the lane in the $6,500 opener to whip past the 2-5 pacesetting favourite Arthur (driven by Matt Kakaley) by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.1. Combined with an earlier win at Monticello Raceway, the Pacific Fella gelding is now two-for-three this season as the one-horse stable of Dolores and Carl Dobkowski.
Mr. Dobkowski, the trainer since Day One, turns 91 next month.
Sakra Fella had gone winless is limited work (10 starts) over the previous two seasons and has never won more than twice in a year since 2008, when he made 38 starts. Sakra Fella’s local racelines predate Yonkers’ slots era, beginning with a qualifier in February, 2005.
Tuesday’s win was Sakra Fella’s 20th in what was his 180th career start.
(with files from Yonkers)