The Ron Pierce-driven Domethatagain, who was sent of as the tepid 2-1 post-time choice, climbed the ladder and enjoyed it Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway, as he emerged victorious in the track’s $33,000 Open Handicap Pace.
In play early from Post 6, Domethatagain retook the lead from another leaver (Sapphire City, driven by Eric Carlson) right at the :27.3 opening quarter-mile. A wind-compromised second quarter (31 seconds, followed by a :58.3 opening half-mile) worked to the advantage of the leader, as Lumberjack Willie (Jordan Stratton) made a move to the lead from fourth.
Domethatagain maintained his mandate in and out of the 1:26.3 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. He finished it off on a non-speed-favouring night by recording a one and half-length victory in 1:54.2. Second went to Sapphire City, with ‘Willie,’ a crisp-late Fat Mans Alley (Matt Kakaley) and Escape The News (George Brennan) rounding out the payees.
Domethatagain is a five-year-old statebred son of Bettors Delight trained by Erv Miller for co-owners Mystical Marker Farms, Paymaq Racing and Peggy Hood. He returned $6.30 for his second (consecutive) win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $98.50, with the triple returning $438.
Pierce drove four winners on the card.
No one took down Saturday's 50-cent Pick 5, so Monday's wager – which already has a $10,000 guaranteed pool – comes complete with a $4,039.56 carryover.
(With files from Yonkers)