Yonkers Raceway's pair of Friday night $35,000 co-features--an Open Handicap for everyone's-allowed trotters and an Open for distaff pacers--were won by Fuel Cell (Brian Sears, $15) and Queen Of Royalty (Brent Holland, $42.60).
Fuel Cell did it the hard way from post position No. 5. He watched from fifth as 4-5 choice Calchips Brute (George Brennan) worked around the lass Mymomsablizzard (Larry Stalbaum) and through early fractions of :28.4 and :59.1.
After the intermission, Fuel Cell took up the chase, which continued in and out of a 1:28.3 three-quarters. It was Calchips Brute maintaining a slim lead entering the lane, but he was about to give way grudgingly. Mymomsablizzard ducked in, while Fuel Cell continued his inexorable advance.
That advance led him to the winner's circle by a half-length in 1:58. Mymomsablizzard just did best Calchips Brute for second, with Master Pine (Jim Pantaleano) and Perfect Picture (Jordan Stratton) rounded out the payees.
For fifth choice Fuel Cell, a six-year-old Ontario-sired Mutineer gelding owned by Lee Cotroneo and trained by Brandon Todd, the win was his second (consecutive) in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $102, with the triple returning $274.50
The ladies' legion saw Queen Of Royalty win both the draw and the race. In play from the pole, she eventually yielded to an encouraged Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) after a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. With a :58-second half, it was Sears again trying it first-up, this time chauffeuring the second move of Moonlit Dragon.
That one pulled from fourth, engaging the leader down the backside toward a 1:25.4 three-quarters.
Warrawee Koine was up a stubborn schnoz turning for home. She was tough before eventually abdicating to a passing-lane "Queen" by a neck in 1:54.3. Argument Hanover (Kakaley), slight 5-2 choice Chief Karen (Stalbaum) and Moonlit Dragon grabbed the remainder.
For seventh choice Queen Of Royalty, a nine-year-old Ontario-sired daughter of Albert Albert owned and trained by Allen Sisco, the win was her second (consecutive) in four '13 tries. The exacta paid $209, the triple returned $1,306 and the superfecta paid $3,094. The lass went over the half-million career earnings plateau.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)