There’s a new leading lady in town. Odds-on favourite Al Raza N (Jordan Stratton, $3.90) ground down triple millionairess Anndrovette (Jason Bartlett) Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $48,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
In her first start at the adult table, Al Raza N, from post position No. 2, was her usual unhurried self. Outside numbers Anndrovette and Cinamony (George Brennan) both were put into play, with the former seating the latter.
After early intervals of :27.2 and :55.4, Al Raza N took out of fourth. She engaged Anndrovette toward a 1:23.2 three-quarters (:27.3 third quarter), with Anndrovette owning a length lead into the lane. However, Al Raza N was far from done, going past by three-quarters of a length in a life-best 1:52.1.
Cinamony, who angled off the pylons for the drive, couldn’t match strides and settled for third. Envious Hanover (Brent Holland) and Justhaventmetuyet (Eric Carlson) settled for the remainder.
For Al Raza N, a five-year-old Down Under daughter of Gotta Go Cullect owned by Durrazzanno Stables and trained by Augie Abbatiello, the win was her sixth in 16 seasonal starts (three wins and a second since arriving stateside). The exacta paid $29.60, the triple returned $153.50 and the superfecta paid $923.
Saturday afternoon (special post time 2 p.m.), it’s the return of the International Trot. The million-dollar event, back for the first time in two decades, goes as the fourth race (approx. post 3:10 p.m.), There’s a $75,000 guaranteed pool Pick 5 (races two through six, with $25,000 ‘seed money’), a hat giveaway, winning country trip contest, Oktoberfest on the track apron and much more.
The 10-horse field for the 1-1/4 mile classic:
PP - HORSE (COUNTRY) - DRIVER - MORNING LINE
1 - Creatine (USA) - Johnny Takter - 4-1
2 - Papagayo E (NOR) - Ulf Ohlsson - 5-1
3 - Rod Stewart (ITA) - Enrico Bellei - 12-1
4 - Timoko (FRA) - Bjorn Goop - 6-1
5 - Bee A Magician (CAN) - Brian Sears - 3-1
6 - On Track Piraten (SWE) - Erik Adielsson - 10-1
7 - Natural Herbie (USA) - Verlin Yoder - 8-1
8 - Mosaique Face (SWE) - Adrian Kolgjini - 6-1
9 - BBS Sugarlight (NOR) - Johan Untersteiner - 6-1
10 - Oasis Bi (ITA) - Orjan Kihlstrom - 8-1
(Yonkers Raceway)