Donttellmywife (Stephane Bouchard) sat a Friday night pocket, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,500 Open Handicap Trot
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Leaving from post position No. 2, he watched while Neighsay Hanover (Ray Schnittker) set sail through stations of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:25.4. Meanwhile, 4-5 choice Wind Surfer (Jason Bartlett) briefly moved first-over, only to duck back in and retreat.
"Neighsay" was a length-and-three-quarters to the good entering the lane, but tired late. "Mywife" edged past, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1. Summertime Yankee (Brent Holland), And Heez Perfect (Cat Manzi) and Pembroke Prayer (Tyler Buter) completed the cashers.
For Donttellmywife, a four-year-old Malabar Man gelding trained by Lou Pena for owner Shannon DiAntonio, he returned $17 (third choice) for his sixth win in 19 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $154, with the triple returning $950.
Friday night's co-featured $42,500 Filly & Mare Open Handicap Pace saw Symphony In Motion (Eric Goodell) turn in a down-the-road effort.
Assigned post No. 7, she stepped around 6-5 choice Little Mermaid N (Bouchard) before a "27-second opening quarter-mile. Up Front Kellie Jo (Jordan Stratton) also left, but was stuffed into a three-hole. A rated :56.4 intermission and a soft challenge by Im Betting On You (Pat Berry) both led to a 1:25.1 three-quarters, as Symphony In Motion owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane.
She held off a tight-quarters "Kellie Jo" by a length-and-a-quarter 1:53.3, with a second-up Shacked Up (Bartlett), Im Betting On You and a tiring Little Mermaid N completed the payees.
For Symphony In Motion, a six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight co-owned by Joseph Jannuzzelli and Carol Demarch, she returned $7 (second choice) for her 12th win in 30 '10 tries. The exacta paid $54, with the triple returning $267.50.
Saturday night's second annual Fall Harvest Festival celebrates the relationship between harness racing and agriculture throughout New York State. Events, demonstrations, music and, of course, more than enough food for guests of all ages are featured on the track apron beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Eight, $50,000 events for New York-breds lead the racing program, while three non-wagering divisions of the hotly-contested "Legislators Challenge" begin at 6 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)