Favoured Rubber Duck (Joe Bongiorno, $4.20) and Killer Martini (Jason Bartlett, $16.80) won Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $40,000 Open Handicaps Saturday, Feb. 3.
Rubber Duck, from assigned post-position three, stuffed lass NF Happenstance in behind early. The race became a two-speed number, with Rubber Duck, setting splits of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:26.4, holding sway.
NF Happenstance pulled pocket early to test the fave, but missed a half-length in 1:56.2. Melady’s Monet rallied off a brutal trip for third, with Madhatter Blue Chip and Lily’s Swan Pond rounding out the remainder.
For Rubber Duck, an six-year-old Muscle Mass ridgling co-owned by Blain & Erna Corbeil and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, it was his first win in a pair of seasonal starts. Driven by Joe Bongiorno, he paid $4.20.
The week’s pacing feature saw pole-assigned Killer Martini slip out in the backside to race second-over. He overpowered a cone-skimming Don’tcallmefrancis by a nose in 1:54. Dream Out Loud N put away pace-setting 2-1 choice Thisjetsabookin, who made the lead and set splits of :28, :56.4, and 1:24.4 before faltering late.
Dream Out Loud N finished third, with Christen Me N and Gokudo Hanover grabbing the minors.
For Killer Martini, a six-year-old Camluck gelding owned and trained by Ricky Bucci, it was his first win in four tries this season.
Sunday ‘French’ matinees return Feb. 25th, with a post time TBD.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)