Batalj Launcher (Jason Bartlett) and Nights Kreeation (Jordan Stratton) won their respective $40,000 Yonkers Raceway Friday night co-features
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Batalj Launcher went the distance in the Open Handicap Trot. Leaving from post position No. 4, he led through comfy fractions of :28.4, :58.4, 1:27.2 and 1:56.2. Batalj Launcher had three lengths on his rivals turning for home before defeating Lavec Dream (George Brennan) by a wrapped-up 2-1/2 lengths. Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory), 2-1 choice Shutter Boy (Ryan Anderson) and Dennis (Stratton) completed the cashers.
For Batalj Launcher, a 10-year-old Tap In gelding co-owned by trainer Josh Green and Meadowbranch Racing, he returned $8.20 (third choice) for his ninth win in 29 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $36.40, with the triple returning $136.
The blind-draw Filly and Mare Open Pace saw Nights Kreeation go up and over the 2-5 fave OK Amelia (Bartlett), then open up.
Leaving from post No. 3, Nights Kreeation was content to sit third while the choice of the populace led through early intervals of :28.2 and :58.
Soft enough--in theory--but "Amelia" couldn't stall Nights Kreeation, out of third and to the lead before the 1:25.4 three-quarters. She then ran away, from two lengths entering the lane to 8-1/4 lengths at the wire, which she found in 1:54.1. Cheyenne Trish (Jim Meittinis), OK Amelia, Eagle Hilarious (Cat Manzi) and Western Graduate (Eric Abbatiello) rounded out the payees.
For Nights Kreeation, a seven-year-old daughter of Arturo owned by Triple P Racing and trained by Delvy Lopez, she returned $16.20 (third choice) for her fifth victory in 26 '09 tries. The exacta paid $49.40, with the triple returning $93.
The watch for Jim Pantaleano's 5,000--albeit not nearly as exciting as the watch for Dow Jones' 10,000--continues. Pantaleano both began and ended his evening with 4,999 career victories. He went 0-for-5, getting overtaken late with 4-5 Twin B Tiara in the 12th-race finale by Sherri On Ice (Bartlett).
(Yonkers Raceway)