Popular propositions Jacks Legend N and Swansea did not disappoint Saturday night (Feb. 8), winning Yonkers Raceway’s pair of $40,000 Open Handicaps.
Jacks Legend N took down the weekly adult-table pace in first-over fashion. From post 3 (in one notch after a defection), he saw Tookadiveoffdipper pocket Ostro Hanover through intervals of :26.2 and :55.3. Jacks Legend N then moved from third, assaulting in earnest at the 1:23.3 three-quarters.
Tookadiveoffdipper gave way gradually in and out of the final turn, with Jacks Legend N grinding by. The latter edged away, whipping Ostro Hanover by a length-and-a-half in a season’s-best 1:51.4. San Domino A loomed but flattened, finishing third, with Tookadiveoffdipper and Bettor Memories settling for the remainder.
For Jacks Legend N, a six-year-old Down Under Bettors Delight gelding co-owned by (trainer) Richard Banca and James & Barbara Boese, it was his first win in three seasonal starts. Jason Bartlett drove the $3.60 winner. The exacta paid $18.80, with the triple returning $46.40.
The week’s marquee trot offered minimal suspense, with Swansea—from post 4 (also in one place after a scratch)—taking it the distance through fractions of :28, :57.4, 1:26.2 in progress to a 1:54.3 win. His job was made much easier after Yes was totally devoid of trot and Eye Ofa Tiger As broke.
Swansea whipped Meladys Monet by a length, with newly-minted millionaire Smalltownthrowdown third. Eye Ofa Tiger As crossed the line fourth, but flipped placings with Yes after the former’s extended transgression.
For Swansea, a five-year-old Swan for All gelding co-owned (as Triple D Stables) by (trainer) Scott DiDomenico and Dana Parham, it was his second win in four ’20 tries. Austin Siegelman piloted the $2.70 winner. The exacta paid $13.60, with the triple wagering cancelled due to the abbreviated number starters.
(Yonkers Raceway)