Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $35,000 featured Filly and Mare Open Pace was won by a course-shifting Robin Cruiser.
Unhurried from post position five, Robin Cruiser and driver Jordan Stratton watched as Dune In Red stung 4-5 choice Rockaround Sue before releasing that one. It was a :26.4 opening quarter-mile and :56.2 intermission when Charisma Hanover moved from fourth.
A quick :27.3 third quarter (1:24) seemingly separated the leader and the pursuer from the rest of the gang, as Robin Cruiser—racing from second-up—gapped. It was Rockaround Sue taking a length lead into the lane, but the fast fray was taking its toll on the leading duo.
They began to tire as Robin Cruiser closed ranks, ducking inside and picking off the people’s choice late in a slow final quarter. The margin was three-quarters of a length in 1:53.1. Charisma Hanover was third, with UF Dragons Queen and Palm Patrol rounding out the payees.
For second choice Robin Cruiser, a five-year-old homebred daughter of Yankee Cruiser owned by Pinske Stables and trained by Julie Miller, was her ninth win in 31 seasonal starts.
Robin Cruiser paid $6.20.
(Yonkers Raceway)