Odds-on favourite Mach It A Par (Brian Sears, $2.80) took advantage of a generous getaway locale Friday night (October 14), easily winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
In play from post position No. 5 (after winning the five-through-eight draw), she wasted no time claiming her territory. Mach It A Par worked around Regil Elektra (Joe Bongiorno), then started what became a two-speed number (:27.4, :57.2, 1:25.1, 1:52.2).
The final margin was a handy length-and-a-quarter, with Jungle Genie N (Brent Holland) a best-of-rest third. Al Raza N (Mark MacDonald) and Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter) rounded out the payees.
For Mach It A Pair, a six-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P & Gandolfo Stables and trained by Rich Banca, the win was her 10th in 32 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $10.90, with the triple returning $61.50.
Saturday’s rare day card (first post 1:10 p.m.) is highlighted by the million-dollar International Trot. Ten of the world’s best trotters test the mile-and-a-quarter distance. The International goes as race six as part of the 13-race card, which also features a pair of $250,000 Invitationals, led by Bit Of A Legend N and Wiggle It Jiggleit (posts one and eight in the flat-mile pace) and Barn Doll and a returning Bee a Magician (posts one and two) in the 1-1/4-mile trot).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)