Trotting mare Thankful NO returned to Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (Nov. 12) after racing in the Breeders Crown a couple weeks ago and won the $43,000 Open Handicap in 1:54.3.
Driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer, Thankful NO showed speed from post seven and wrestled the lead away from Warrior One and driver George Brennan at the :27.4 opening quarter. Thankful NO would then go on to reach the half in :56.4 and the three-quarters in 1:25.3.
On the last turn, Thankful NO got separation from the rest of the field, and though Warrior One came back on through the lane, it wasn’t enough, as Thankful NO hit the wire a neck to the good. Lean Hanover, piloted by Jim Marohn Jr., finished third.
A six-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill bred in Norway, Thankful NO is owned by American Viking Racing Stable. Thankful NO, who is out of the great race mare Peaceful Way, is now a 10-time winner in her career, and she has earned $250,057. She paid $6.50 to win as the 2-1 favourite and was atop a $47.60 exacta and an $117.50 trifecta.
That was the only time a favourite was victorious during Friday night’s Pick 5 sequence, which led to it not being hit. As a result, there’ll be a carryover of $3,217.68 and a guaranteed pool of $10,000 in the wager on Monday night's card. The Pick 6 also went unsolved, and the carryover in that stands at $1,731.36.
The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5 will be available on the TrackMaster website. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, and the Pick 6, which gets underway in the third race, both have a takeout rate of 20 per cent.
Monday night’s 12-race program at Yonkers kicks off at 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)