Favourite Take It Back Terry (George Brennan, $4.80) held off the other 7-5 shot Ideal Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Assigned inside their four rivals, “Cowboy,” then “Terry” both found front quickly. Take It Back Terry gained the lead right at the :27.1 opening quarter-mile. From there, it was a :55.4 half and 1:23.3 three-quarters as Lucan Hanover (Brian Sears) took out of third.
Take It Back Terry owned a length and a half into the lane, then held Ideal Cowboy — chauffeur dropping whip and all — at bay by a half–length in 1:50.4. The Real One (Pat Lachance) rallied from last to grab third, with Lucan Hanover and E Z Noah (Brent Holland) settling for the remainder. Dream Out Loud N (Tyler Buter) was outrun.
For Take It Back Terry, a six-year-old Western Terror gelding co-owned by trainer Ron Burke (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Phil Collura, the win was his 13th in 29 seasonal tries. The exacta paid $10, with the triple (three wagering favourites in order) returning $27.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)