Drama Act and Racine Bell, the winner and runner-up in last year's Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final for pacing mares at Yonkers Raceway, appear to be rounding into form heading into the 2023 edition of that event, which gets underway on March 17, as both were victorious in Westchester, New York on Friday (Feb. 24).
Racing in the $36,000 Open Handicap Pace, Drama Act and driver George Brennan followed in the pocket behind Karma Seelster, driven by Matt Kakaley, through panels of :27.1, :57 and 1:24.3, tipped out in the lane, and went by the pacesetter to prevail by a neck in 1:52.4. Delitfulcatherin N, steered by Jordan Stratton, finished in third.
A six-year-old daughter of Well Said bred and owned by The OK Corral, Drama Act is trained by Ron Burke. This was her 31st career victory and she has now earned $820,972.
She paid $4.30 to win as the favourite. The exacta was worth $13.60 and the trifecta kicked back $33.60.
One dash later, Racine Bell, piloted by Jason Bartlett in a $30,000 non-winners of $30,000 last five starts tilt, rallied off a second-over trip and scored by half a length in 1:55. She was followed by a closing Lit De Rose and trainer/driver Pat Lachance while Uptown Hanover, who posted fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:26.1, held on for third for Stratton.
Racine Bell is a six-year-old mare by So Surreal and is trained by Dave Dewhurst for owners Chris and Dale Lawton. Racine Bell visited the winner's circle for the 29th time and she pushed her bankroll to $973,846.
The 2-5 choice, she returned $2.90 to win and led a $10.40 exacta and a $25.00 trifecta.
In other news from Friday night's program, no tickets had five of five in the Pick 5 wager, leading to a $6,576.53 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the sequence on Monday night (Feb. 27). The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5 will be available on the Trackmaster website. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 per cent.
Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EST).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)