Favourite Lightning Treasure, driven by Dan Dube, went from first-up to first home Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace
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Leaving from post position No. 5, Lightning Treasure watched from fifth as Billmar Scooter (Eric Goodell) was the only leave. That one stepped around pole-sitter Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum), throwing down quarters of :26.4 and :57.1. Lightning Treasure then took up the cause, methodically drawing closer by the 1:26 three-quarters.
Billmar Scooter remained a tenuous leader in and out of the final turn, but was collared soon thereafter. Lightning Treasure gained the advantage before a 1:53.4 mile maker, edging away by a length-and-a-quarter. The mile-and-one-sixteenth went in 2:00.4, with Hulas Z Tam (Pat Lachaance), Quicksilvercandy A and Ramona Disomma (George Brennan) completed the cashers.
For Lightning Treasure, a six-year-old daughter of Western Ideal trained by Keith Armer for Lightning Stable, she returned $4.50 for her eighth win in 28 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $10.80, with the triple returning $53.50.
Friday night's co-featured $42,000 Open Handicap Trot saw Looking Hanover, driven by Yannick Gingras, overcome some early misbehaving, work out a second-over trip, and prevail.
Leaving from post No. 7, Looking Hanover had first-turn issues--tight quarters with 9-5 choice Calchips Brute (Brennan)--as Second Hand News (Brent Holland) and Grain Of Truth (Jeff Gregory) took turns on the lead.
The latter led past a :27.4 opening interval and :57.4 half, with Calchips Brute (Brennan) on the move from fifth. The two trotters closed ranks passing a 1:26.4 three-quarters.
All the while, Looking Hanover was now minding his manners behind Calchips Brute, while Grain Of Truth was about to wear out his welcome early in the lane. Looking Hanover vaulted wide right near the 1:56.2 mile, getting the jump on the other closers. He won by three-quarters of a length in an added-distance 2:03.2.
Baby Boy Grin (Stalbaum)--sixth on the cones--found room late and grabbed second, with Lanson (Mike Lachance), Grain Of Truth and Calchips Brute coming away with the leftovers.
For Looking Hanover, a six-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding co-owned by Gingras and Dawn Marie Gannon and trained by Ed Gannon Jr., he returned $7.60 (second choice) for his sixth win in 24 '11 tries. The exacta paid $92.50, the triple returned $887 and the superfecta paid $6,911.
(Yonkers Raceway)