Meladys Monet picked up his 81st career win by taking Friday night’s $48,000 Open Handicap Trot at Yonkers Raceway in 1:54.4.
Driven by Jason Bartlett, Meladys Monet showed speed from post seven and worked his way past early leader Grey, piloted by Brent Holland, after the :27.2 opening quarter. However, race favourite Mississippi Storm, with George Brennan at the controls, was hot on Meladys Monet’s heels after leaving from post eight, and he drove on to the front midway through the second turn. Mississippi Storm got to the half in :55.4 and the three-quarters in 1:24.4, but Rock Of Cashel, steered by Austin Siegelman, who had gone first-over out of fourth on the third turn, was coming up to challenge Mississippi Storm at the latter marker.
After duelling with Mississippi Storm around the final bend, Rock Of Cashel was able to forge his way to a slim advantage in the lane. Meladys Monet was able to find room up the inside when Mississippi Storm drifted out, though, and it would be Meladys Monet who got the victory by a neck. Rock Of Cashel was a solid second, and Champagne On Ice, with Joe Bongiorno in the bike, charged from seventh to third in the last quarter.
A 12-year-old Revenue S gelding, Meladys Monet is trained by Hermann Heitmann for owner Melady Enterprises LLC. Meladys Monet has earned $1,939,658 lifetime, and he paid $9.00 to win after being sent off at 7-2.
In other news, there were no winners in the Pick 5 on Friday night, meaning there will be a $5,045.79 carryover and a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the wager on Monday night. The Pick 6 also has a carryover of $1,124.60.
Yonkers Raceway’s 12-race program on Monday night kicks off at 7:15 p.m. and features the $48,000 Open Handicap Pace in the seventh.
(Yonkers)