Season-debuting Pan From Nantucket, driven by Eric Goodell, worked out the perfect trip Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $33,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Unhurried early from post position No. 3, Pan From Nantucket was away fourth as Lumberjack Willie (Jordan Stratton) made the lead before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. It was a wind-restricted :57-second intermission, then even-money favourite P H Supercam (Jason Bartlett) moved from third down the backside. Pan From Nantucket was right in behind.
The leading 'Willie' was about to drop anchor in and out of a 1:25.3 three-quarters, with P H Supercam taking a length lead into the lane. However, he could not close the sale. Pan From Nantucket edged by, as did a charging 32-1 rank outsider American Rage (Brian Sears). The former did whip the latter by a head in 1:54.2, with P H Supercam fading to third, beaten a neck. Dream Out Loud N (Matt Kakaley) and Atta Boy Dan (George Brennan) settled for the minor moolah.
Pan From Nantucket is a six-year-old No Pan Intended gelding owned by Blindswitch Racing Stable and trained by Jose Godinez. He returned $29.60 (sixth choice) for his 25th career victory. The exacta paid $572, with the triple returning $2,351.
No one hit Saturday's Pick 5 wager, so Monday's gimmick -- with a built-in $10,000 guaranteed pool -- begins with a carryover of $2,642.80.
(Yonkers Raceway)