Yonkers Raceway's Friday night pair of $44,000 co-features--an Open Handicap for distaff pacers and an old-fashioned Open for trotters--were won by Naughtytiltheend (Brent Holland, $11.80) and Celebrity Bluechip (Jason Bartlett, $7.80).
In play early from post position No. 6, Naughtytiltheend made the lead around Hulas Z Tam (Pat Lachance) before a :28.3 opening quarter-mile. Inside assignee Hannah Isabel (Cat Manzi) sat third, with reformed claimer Late Flyin N (Jordan Stratton) fourth and Royal Cee Cee N (George Brennan)--the 3-10 favourite from her assigned eight-hole--tucked in fifth.
All the while, it was a 'Naughty' and soft :30-second next interval (:58.3 half) before Late Flyin N pulled. Unfortunately for the public choice, who was on that's one back, Late Flyin N wasn't doing much for the cause.
That gave Naughtytiltheend some separation in and out of the 1:26 three-quarters, and she had a couple of lengths turning for home.
The leader held sway, defeating a fast-closing fave by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2. Hulas Z Tam, Late Flyin N (eight consecutive wins versus claimers) and Artsy Princess (Bartlett) rounded out the payees.
For second-choice Naughtytiltheend, a five-year-old daughter of Western Ideal trained by Erv Miller for owner Diamond Creek Farm, it was her third win in 30 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $36.40, with the triple returning $141.50.
The week's marquee trot saw 64-1 Lorenzo Dream (Jim Pantaleano) give his longshot legions a shout-out through fractions of :27.3 and :57. However, he was done down the backside the second time, with inside-drawing Celebrity Bluechip leading the invasion.
The one moved from third, engulfing 'Lorenzo' before the 1:26.1 three-quarters. E L Rock (Eric Goodell) was second-up, with 3-5 choice Arriba Amigo (Brennan) behind that one. Take My Picture (Mark MacDonald) was looking to extricate himself from behind a stopping pacesetter.
It was Celebrity Bluechip owning a two and a half length lead into the lane, which turned into three and three-quarter lengths at the wire in 1:56. Arriba Amigo, the win streak ending at six, settled for second, with Take My Picture, E L Rock and the three-year-old New York Sire Stakes veteran Brookroad Knight (Jeff Gregory) grabbing the minor moolah.
For Celebrity Bluechip, a five-year-old statebred son of Credit Winner owned by trainer Ron Burke (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Panhellenic and M1 Stables, it was the second choice’s fourth win in 22 '12 tries. The exacta paid $17.20, the triple returned $51.50 and the superfecta paid $215.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)
(Yonkers Raceway)