Due to continuing heavy snowfall and deteriorating track conditions, Yonkers Raceway was forced to cancel races nine, 10 and 11 on Monday night's program.
The early end to the card impacted the night's Pick 5 sequence with one leg remaining. Per New York State wagering rules, the ninth race became an "all" in the Pick 5 and was paid out on the new money wagered into the pool tonight ($60,994.71). The Pick 5 carryover coming into the card ($6,576.53) was not included in that total and will be held to the next live racing program, which is scheduled for Tuesday night (Feb. 28). The guaranteed pool of $20,000 will also take place.
The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 per cent.
Before the cancellation, there was a pair of $36,000 Open Handicap Paces that took place as horses ready for next month’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series.
Priceless Beach, driven by Matt Kakaley and the longest shot on the board at odds of 30-1, rallied from last to first and off a third-over trip to take the initial Open Handicap Pace by a nose in 1:51.4, narrowly defeating The Ideal Dancer A (Jason Bartlett), who also finished well from second-over. Bee Two Bee (George Brennan), who did the uncovered work from first-up, was just another head behind in third.
Jared Bako trains Priceless Beach, a seven-year-old Sunshine Beach, for owner 1362313 Ontario Ltd. Priceless Beach won for the 19th time and pushed his earnings to $384,099. He paid $62.50 to win.
Leonidas A, the runner-up in last year’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series final, took the lead out of the pocket past the 1:23.4 three-quarters in the other Open Handicap Pace and drew off to a 2-3/4-length victory for driver Austin Siegelman in 1:51.4. Idealsomemagic A (Brennan) was the runner-up, followed by Backstreet Shadow (Kakaley).
Matthew Medeiros trains Leonidas A, an eight-year-old Mach Three gelding, for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A, who returned $4.10 to win as the even-money favourite, made his 45th appearance in the winner’s circle and has now banked $900,007.
Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)