Bob McIntosh trainee Pancleefandarpels, knocking on the million-dollar door, edged closer Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace with Jim Pantaleano in the bike
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Assigned penultimate post position No. 7, "Pancleef" was in play early. She drove past Breakheart Pass (Jason Bartlett), grabbing the lead just after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. From there, it was a :55.4 half and 1:24.3 three-quarters, with 13-10 favourite Bling (George Brennan)--having moved from fifth--prompting first-over.
Pancleefandarpels dispatched the public choice, taking a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. She found the mile marker in 1:52.4 and the mile-and-one-sixteenth in a flat two minutes. Lightning Treasure (Dan Dube) skimmed the cones for second--beaten that same length-and-a-half--with Breakheart Pass, Bling and Summer Snow (Cat Manzi) sifting through the remainder.
For Pancleefandarpels, a seven-year-old homebred daughter of Noble Ability owned by Peter Pan Stables, she returned $18.20 (fourth choice) for her seventh win in 30 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $91.50, the triple returned $733 and the career cash is now approaching $990,000.
Friday night's co-featured $42,000 Open Handicap Trot saw pole starter Summertime Yankee, driven by Brent Holland, close deep in the passing to beat the boys.
Sarkozy (Eric Goodell) and Baby Boy Grin (Larry Stalbaum) took turns on the lead, with the latter gaining the advantage after a :27.3 opening quarter. A :57.2 half led to Wind Surfer (Bartlett) trying it first-up, with 7-10 choice Calchips Brute (Brennan) catching that one, before going wide at a 1:26.1 three-quarters.
All the while, Baby Boy Grin owned a length-and-a-quarter lead in and out of the final turn. He hit the mile in 1:56.1, with company coming all around. Taking the short way was Summertime Yankee, who found room deep inside to win by a neck in an added-distance 2:03.3. Baby Boy Grin held second, with Calchips Brute, Sarkozy and KLM Express (Jim Marshall III) coming away with the minor spoils. The five payees were separated by just three-quarters of a length.
For Summertime Yankee, a seven-year-old daughter of S Js Photo owned and trained by Tyler Raymer, she returned $17.40 (fourth choice) for her sixth win in 26 '11 tries. The exacta paid $133, the triple paid $540 and the superfecta returned $1,744.
Earlier in the evening, Marshall was recognized for his 3,000th career victory, which occurred Thursday afternoon at Freehold Raceway.
(Yonkers Raceway)