Sugar Queen Gabby, driven by Brian Sears, rallied from third-over Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Trot.
Unhurried early from post position No. 2, Sugar Queen Gabby sat as 6-5 favourite Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) left around pole-sitting Rookie Mistake (Larry Stalbaum), making the lead before a :28.4 opening quarter-mile.
The people's preference then rated a :59.1 intermission before Likeabatoutahell (Andy Miller), who had nestled in fourth early. was out and moving again. That one prompted the issue in and out of a 1:27.2 three-quarters, with Sand Wyndham (Dan Dube) having to work to catch the tow.
All the while, Sugar Queen Gaby extricated herself from the cones, slipping out behind Sand Wyndham as Looking Hanover's lead was slipping away. Likeabatoutahell continued his challenge, with Rookie Mistake diving inside.
However, it was 'Gabby,' sixth turning for home, offering the fleetest foot. She defeated Rookie Mistake by a length and a quarter in 1:56.3. Looking Hanover faded to third, with Perfect Picture (Jordan Stratton) and Sand Wyndham completing the cashers.
For Sugar Queen Gabby, a five-year-old daughter of Dream Vacation trained by John Stoutenberg for owner Tracy Lynn Cortese, she returned $12 (third choice) for her seventh win in 29 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $63.50, the triple returned $137 and the superfecta paid $716.
(Yonkers Raceway)