Yonkers Raceway's pair of Friday night $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps--for distaff pacers as well as trotters of all shapes and sizes--were won by a from-last, odds-on Krispy Apple (Brian Sears, $2.80) and Aisling (George Brennan, $5.10).
There were more than a few Maalox moments for those who took 40 cents on the dollar with Krispy Apple. Assigned post position No. 5, she was last of the seven early as Keepers Destiny (Brennan) worked around Foxy Lady (Jason Bartlett) before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile.
Foxy Lady jumped it off in the pocket coming to the :56.3 intermission as Krispy Apple began the arduous advance from the back of the bus. She wasn't getting much help from a first-over Queen Of Royalty (Brent Holland) going toward the 1:24.4 three-quarters.
All the while, Keepers Destiny widened to three and a half lengths turning for home, with the people's choice some six and a quarter lengths away. From that point, the latter exploded, closing in the middle of the track to prevail by a neck in 1:53 (her last quarter timed in :27.1). Best Boss (Pat Lachance), Virgin Mary (Eric Goodell) and Ace Of Pace (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the minor moolah.
For Krispy Apple, a four-year-old daughter of Western Ideal co-owned by Bamond Racing and Joe Davino and trained by PJ Fraley, it was her fifth win in 22 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $8.40, with the triple (three wagering choices in order) returning $31.40.
The week's featured trot saw Aisling, leaving from post No. 5, settle fourth early. He watched as Celebrity Bluechip (Bartlett) through down early intervals of :28 and :58.1, Despite the soft second quarter, Aisling had few issues moving to the lead in the third turn.
He then found a 1:26.3 three-quarters, taking a into the lane. The leader held sway from there, defeating Big Sky Storm (Stratton) by two and a quarter lengths in 1:55.4. Take My Picture (Sears), Celebrity Bluechip and Coach Fox (Larry Stalbaum) rounded out the payees.
For Aisling, an eight-year-old Conway Hall gelding trained by Casie Coleman for co-owners Ross Warriner and Dave Miller, it was his 10th win in 33 '12 tries (life earnings now over $505,000). The exacta paid $20, the triple returned $48.20 and the superfecta (four wagering choices in order) paid $127.
Yonkers' final stakes night of the season goes Saturday night, with the $415,820 Messenger Stakes (three-year-old colts/geldings)--final jewel of the pacing Triple Crown--and its companion event, the $229,440 Lady Maud Pace (three-year-old fillies).
(Yonkers Raceway)