Buddy Hill overcame an extended first-over grind to win the featured $43,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway on Monday (Nov. 29).
None Bettor A, driven by Joe Bongiorno, set the tempo in the race, as he blasted right to the engine from post six and cut fractions of :27.3, :56, and 1:23.3. Meanwhile, Buddy Hill, with Matt Kakaley in the bike, got away in the three-hole and came first-over on the third turn. He couldn't make any headway on the rim after vacating the cones, though, which allowed None Bettor A to turn for home on a clear lead.
It looked like for most of the stretch drive that None Bettor A was on his way to victory, but Buddy Hill kept plugging away and found one last burst of energy late in the mile that carried him by None Bettor A to win by a head in 1:52.2. Covered Bridge, with George Brennan at the lines, rallied from sixth to third in the last quarter.
A five-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe, Buddy Hill is trained by Travis Alexander for owners D'Elegance Stable IX and T L P Stable. This was his 13th career win, and he has now earned $313,946. Sent off at 9-2, Buddy Hill paid $11.60 to win and was atop a $55.50 exacta and a $546.00 trifecta.
On Tuesday night's (November 30) program at Yonkers, there will be a carryover of $4,701.08 and a guaranteed pool of $15,000 in the Pick 5 and a $2,555.40 carryover in the Pick 6.
The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, and the Pick 6, which starts in the third, both have a takeout rate of 20 percent.
Tuesday night’s 12-race card kicks off at 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers)