Trained by Carl Cito and driven by Cat Manzi, stablemates American Lane (Trot) and Nip N Attack (Filly and Mare Pace) once again took care of Yonkers Raceway business in the $31,000 co-featured Open Handicaps while driver Jordan Stratton scored his 1,000th win on Friday night
.
American Lane made it four consecutive (eight-hole) featured trot wins, toying with his seven rivals in 1:58. He stepped around Indiana Hall (Pat Berry), secured the lead before the first two furlongs and was ready for yet another close-up.
Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory), the 4-5 favorite, challenged but could not reach. American Lane led through intervals of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:28.1 before widening to a couple of lengths at the wire. Beach Nut Brand was the bridesmaid, with Indiana Hall, Pablo Angus (Dan Cappello Jr.) and Rushmore Hanover (Brent Holland) completing the cashers.
For American Lane, a seven-year-old Primrose Lane cash-cow gelding co-owned by David Scharf and Jerry Silva, he returned $4.70 (second choice) for his fourth win in a half-dozen seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.80, with the triple paying $66.50.
Nip N Attack, also made short work of her assigned outside impost, drilling the distaff derby by that same two-length margin.
She went up and around last week's winner, J K Pure Pearl (Jason Bartlett), then threw down zippy fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.3. Nip N Attack stopped her timer in 1:55.2, with J K Pure Pearl, Elusive Prey (Jack Baggitt Jr.), Binions (Greg Grismore) and Omen Hanover (Eric Abbatiello) also making money.
Symphony in Motion (Holland), the 9-5 choice, didn't leave and didn't have a chance, finishing a non-factor sixth.
For Nip N Attack, a five-year-old daughter of On the Attack co-owned by Keith Motusesky along with Manzi's better half, Ellen, she paid $11 (third choice) for her first third victory in six seasonal starts. The victress led an $32.80 exacta and $268 triple.
And then there was the curious case of Jordan Stratton.
Stratton, who came into the program needing just one win for 1,000 in his brief driving carrer, waited until the last of the bakers' dozen to get it. The 21-year-old went the distance in the $19,000 pacing event with Iwannabesedated ($6) in 1:54.4. Jody Reidel co-owns (with birthday boy Lester Gelardi, Jr.) and trains the eight-year-old Real Artist gelding.
Stratton, greeted by friends and family in the winner's circle, received a congratulatory sign. He will join Walter Case, Jr. as the only drivers to win 1,000 races prior to the age of 22.
Friday night also began the 2009 Yonkers stakes season, with four, $10,000 divisions of the Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies. The winners were...
• Dreams Bar (by Dream Away); owner-trainer Leah Vandervort/driver Bill Vandevort, Jr.; (life-best) 1:59.3/$2.80;
• Uma Hanover (by McArdle); co-owners Norm Landres, Martha Frank, Gilbert Sanders & Herbert Dicker/trainer Don Niccum/driver Jeff Gregory; (first life win) 2:00.3/$4.10;
• Jordans Jewell (by Mantese), co-owners Gary & Beverly Paganelli, John MacLean & Mike Daddario/trainer Matt Medeiros/driver Jason Bartlett; 1:59.1/$2.50;
• Riches To Rags (by Richess Hanover); co-owner Jim Meade & George Bonomo/trainer Mark Ford/driver Ryan Anderson; 1:58.4/$3.80.
(With files from Yonkers)