A second-over Meladys Monet (Eric Goodell, $10.40) and a grinding favourite Micky Gee N (Jordan Stratton, $4.50) delivered the goods Saturday night (Oct. 26), winning Yonkers Raceway’s pair of $42,000 Open Handicaps.
It was a 61st career victory for Meladys Monet in the week’s marquee trot. From post position No. 6, he stalked 19-10 choice Tight Lines (Jeff Gregory) as that one disposed of The Veteran (Brent Holland) early in the lane.
The Veteran had laid down intervals of :27, :57.1 and 1:25.3, before weakening to fourth. Meladys Monet prevailed by a half-length over Tight Lines in 1:54.1, with Theresademoninme (Stratton) third.
Icanflylikeanangel (George Brennan) picked off the remainder.
For fourth choice Meladys Monet, a 10-year-old homebred Revenue S gelding owned by Melady Enterprises and trained by Hermann Heitmann, the win was his ninth (third consecutive) in 23 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $31, the triple returned $146.50 and the superfecta paid $524.
The week’s adult-table pace saw Micky Gee N—from post No. 5 (in one notch after a defection)—settle fourth. Alluneedisfaith N (Jim Marohn Jr.) fronted the fray (:28.2, :57, 1:24.4), but could not stall Micky Gee N.
That one moved toward the lead in earnest down the backside, taking over in and out of the final turn.
Micky Gee N whipped Havefaithinme N (Goodell) by a length, with Alluneedisfaith N, Dancin Dragon (Brennan) and The Real One (Pat Lachance) settling for the small change.
For Micky Gee N, a six-year-old Down Under Bettors Delight gelding owned by William Hartt and trained by Lance Hudson, the win was his ninth in 27 ’19 tries. The exacta paid $19.60, the triple returned $38.20 and the superfecta paid $192.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)