In a race where half the field was comprised of New Zealand-breds, Shezza GNP N (Jordan Stratton, $42.40) led a 1-2-3 Kiwi finish Friday night (February 8), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
The start of the feature was delayed as pole-given Amateur Hour (George Brennan) essentially refused. The seven other lasses left without her, with a three-wide Nerida Franco N (Dan Dube) getting around 3-10 choice Delishka N (Brent Holland) just after a :27.3 opening quarter-mile.
After a :56.4 intermission and going toward a 1:26 three-quarters, it was an antsy Delishka N extricating herself from the pocket, though not without having to work for it. She took a length and a half lead into the lane, but company was coming.
From assigned post position No. 4, Shezza GNP N, working from third-over, closed to out-game Kaitlyn N (Matt Kakaley) by a nose in 1:56. Delishka N tired to the bottom of the ticket, with Ella Michelle A (Joe Bongiorno) and a recovering Amateur Hour completing the cashers.
For seventh choice Shezza GNP N, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Art Major owned (as Tritton Inc.) and trained by Peter Tritton, the effort was a winning seasonal debut. The exacta paid $344, the triple returned $1,626 and the superfecta paid $4,760.
A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Saturday evening’s Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $4,225.93 and a $15,000 guaranteed pool. The guarantee is in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races seven through 11. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the Friday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)