Pettycoat Business delivered as the 1-5 favourite in the $57,800 M Life Rewards Pacing Series final for fillies and mares on Tuesday night (March 23) at Yonkers Raceway, scoring in a 1:54.1 mile.
Dragon Roll had a great start from post 7 and led early, but driver George Brennan moved Pettycoat Business from second to first before the :27.3 opening quarter. Pettycoat Business then backed down the tempo to :56.4 at the half, giving her the tactical advantage.
Turnthefrownaround, who had gone three-for-three in preliminary round action in the series, stepped out first over from third after the half, but she was unable to advance to the 1:25 three-quarters and around the final turn, allowing Dragon Roll to slip to the outside and Paiges Girl to come through on the pylons.
Despite the well-rated tempo, it looked like Pettycoat Business might be vulnerable entering the lane as Dragon Roll loomed boldly and Paiges Girl was waiting for a possible seam on the inside. Though Pettycoat Business responded gamely when called on by Brennan, and she stayed in front to the finish line, defeating Paiges Girl by half a length. Dragon Roll wound up third, followed by Ready Set Rock and Turnthefrownaround.
A four-year-old Art Major mare, Pettycoat Business is trained by Scott Di Domenico for co-owner and breeder Michael Robinson and his ownership partners Robert Mondillo, R.B.H. Ventures Inc., and Gilbilly Stable. Pettycoat Business now has a record of 6-5-4 from 20 tries, and she has earned $174,873. Pettycoat Business, who paid $2.40 to win, led a $6.90 exacta and a $73.00 trifecta.
There was also a $25,000 M Life Rewards Pacing Series consolation on the card, and 3-5 choice P L Nelly was victorious by two lengths in a lifetime-best clocking of 1:56.1. She posted fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:27.1 on her way to downing first-over challenger Pray The Rosary and pocket-sitter Special Achiever.
Juan Cano trains P L Nelly, a four-year-old daughter of Big Jim, for owner Leo Marino. P L Nelly picked up her fourth win in her 29th start, and she has now banked $46,924. P L Nelly paid $3.50 to win and was atop a $14.60 exacta and a $37.20 trifecta. Dan Dube drove the winner.
Stakes action continues at Yonkers tomorrow night (March 24) as the M Life Rewards Gents Pacing Series for colts and geldings concludes with a $58,400 final and a $25,000 consolation. Then on Friday (March 26), the pacing mares in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will be in action in two $35,000 divisions of the third leg of that event.
The fields are also set for Monday's (March 29) third round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, with three $40,000 splits slated to go behind the gate in Races 4, 5, and 6. Hesa Kingslayer N, who is two-for-two in the series thus far, heads the first division, round winners Rockapelo and San Domino A will clash in the second flight, and leg one victor Lyons Steel hooks up with the likes of round two winner Backstreet Shadow in the final section.
Yonkers Raceway is also pleased to announce that beginning with Monday night's card, there will be a 10 percent purse increase.
(Yonkers Raceway)