Mild Upsets In Yonkers Opens

Published: January 27, 2012 10:10 pm EST

Oceans Motion, driven by Jordan Stratton, busted it wide open Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $33,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace

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Assigned post position No. 2, she was away fourth as Delightful Diva (Pat Berry) took over from 2-1 choice Bling (George Brennan) right at the :27.1 opening quarter-mile.

Before a :57.1 half, Oceans Motion vacated the cones, going after a "Diva" who offered minimal resistance. Oceans Motion scampered to an open lead before the 1:25 three-quarters, taking a seven-length advantage into the lane.

She obviously had more than enough margin to play with, prevailing by three lengths in 1:55.1. Arctic Fire N (James Rattray) closed for second in a successful North American debut, with a trapped-in Bling, Pancleefandarpels (Eric Goodell) and Breakheart Pass (Jason Bartlett) completing the cashers.

For Oceans Motion, a five-year-old daughter of Camotion owned by Robert Lovett and trained by Chuck Connor Jr., she returned $11.60 (fourth choice) for her first win in a pair of seasonal starts. The exacta paid $125.50, with the triple returning $334.50.

Friday night's co-featured $33,000 Open Trot saw Son Of Nordic, driven by Goodell, finish what he started.

In play at the outset from post No. 7, Son Of Nordic worked around IPO Blue Chip (Brent Holland), grabbing the lead right around a :28-second opening quarter-mile. From there, he found a :58.1 intermission as Four Starz Credit (Brennan) came for a visit.

Son Of Nordic, though, had some separation from the stopping pocket-sitter and first-over pursuer in and out of the 1:26.2 three-quarters. He owned a two and a half length lead turning for home, then won by a comfy length and a half in 1:56.3. A locally-debuting Equity (Bartlett)--as the 8-5 favourite--rallied for second, with Four Starz Credit, Definitely Mamie (Larry Stalbaum) and Play Fair (Pat Lachance) grabbing the remainder.

For Son Of Nordic, a seven-year-old Keystone Nordic gelding trained by Doug Noland for Lrl Racing, he returned $13 (third choice) for his first win in two '12 tries. The exacta paid $50.50, the triple returned $220 and the superfecta paid $593.

(Yonkers Raceway)

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