Yonkers Raceway's pair of moist Friday night, $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps---for distaff pacers and trotters of all assorted alliances--were won by a sharp Keepers Destiny (George Brennan, $6.30) and a equally-crisp Mystical Starlight (Mark MacDonald, $5.10).
Finding a seat fifth post position No. 7, Keepers Destiny saw 13-10 choice Rock N Soul (Yannick Gingras) work around Ticket To Rock (Cat Manzi) before a :28.2 opening quarter-mile. But it was "Keeper's" on the move to the lead right at the :58.3 intermission, opening a couple of lengths by the 1:26 three-quarters.
The lead was two and three-quarter lengths turning for home, and Keepers Destiny was never seriously threatened. She won by that same margin in 1:55.2, with Ace Of Pace (Mark MacDonald) closing outside to be the bridesmaid. A cone-skimming Ticket To Rock, Chief Karen (Jason Bartlett) and Rock N Soul rounded out the payees.
For second choice Keepers Destiny, a six-year-old daughter of Intrepid Seelster owned by Merlin Howse of Langton, Ont. and trained by Casie Coleman (also the co-breeders), it was her ninth win in 27 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $82.50, with the triple returning $391.
The week's high-end trot played out a lot like the girls get-together. Here, the mare Mystical Starlight was seated fourth from post No. 4 as Brandos Muscle Man (George Brennan) made the lead from Take My Picture (Andy Miller) after a :27.1 opening quarter.
Mystical Starlight, as the 3-2 favourite, then confronted the leader coming to the :57.2 half, disposing of that one well before the 1:26.1 three-quarters. She had three lengths in and out of the final turn before winning by a length and a quarter in 1:56.3. A rallying Celebrity Bluechip (Jason Bartlett) took second, with "Brando," Rookie Mistake (Larry Stalbaum) and Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) grabbed the remainder.
For Mystical Starlight, a seven-year-old daughter of Credit Winner owned by Glen Hobin of Stittsville, Ont. and trained by Ross Croghan, it was her fourth win in 28 '12 tries. The exacta paid $24.20, the triple returned $161.50 and the superfecta paid $1,366.
(Yonkers Raceway)