Gokudo Hanover (Matt Kakaley, $12.80) and In Secret (George Brennan, $11.80) were the big cheeses Saturday, March 3, winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $40,000 Open Handicaps.
Gokudo Hanover ‘won the bob’ in a three-horse pacing-feature photo, prevailing from second-over. From post position two, he watched early as 3-5 choice Rockin Ron vaulted over his six inside foes. Rockin Ron paced splits of :26.2 and :55 on top.
Pole-sitting Dontcallmefrancis moved from third and went up and over a non-resistant Rockin Ron right at a 1:23.1 three-quarters, opening a-length-and-a-quarter lead off the final turn.
Gokudo Hanover chased Dontcallmefrancis, while a third-up Long Live Rock chased both. It was a Kodak moment, with Gokudo Hanover prevailing by a nose in 1:53.1. Long Live Rock was second, with Don’tcallmefrancis third, beaten a head. The smaller change went to Killer Martini and Alotbettor N. Rockin Ron backpedaled to sixth
For second-choice Gokudo Hanover, six-year-old Cam’s Card Shark gelding co-owned (as Triple D Stables) by trainer Scott DiDomenico, James Craparotta & Pat Berry Racing, it was his first win in six seasonal starts.
In Secret benefited in the trot feature as two of his main rivals—Rubber Duck and Always a Good Time—broke early, never factoring as In Secret nestled into a three-hole. He chased Fearless Man through intervals of :28.1, :58 and 1:26.1.
Fearless Man owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but In Secret left the cones, pursued his target and prevailed by a half-length in 1:56.1. Dog Gone Lucky did get to Fearless Man for second, with Crazy About Pat and Mostinterestingman rounding out the payees.
For fourth choice In Secret, a six-year-old Dewycheatumnhowe gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, J&T Silva Stables, Larry Karr and Weaver Bruscemi, it was first win in two ’18 tries.
Sunday matinees resume March 18th, with first post TBA.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)