Millionaire Warrawee Needy (Mark MacDonald, $20.80) finished what he started Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Getting the memo early from post position No. 3, Warrawee Needy worked around Sapphire City (Eric Carlson), then sat sail through early intervals of :27.1 and :56.3.
Pancetta (Brian Sears), tepid 2-1 choice from the pole, advanced first-up from fourth. He engaged “Needy” toward a 1:24.4 three-quarters, but the leader was up to the assignment. Warrawee Needy opened a couple of lengths in and out of the final turn, but Pancetta wasn't quite done.
His second effort ended up a neck short, as Warrawee Needy prevailed in 1:53. Machs Beach Boy (Pat Lachance) closed crisply to grab third -- beaten three-quarters of a length -- with Sapphire City and Take It Back Terry (George Brennan) rounding out the payees.
For fourth choice Warrawee Needy, a six-year-old son of E Dees Cam co-owned by trainer Mark Ford and Ontario partners Carl Jamieson and David Shea, it was his third win in five seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $115.50, with the triple returning $594.
The Raceway’s live season continues Sunday (post time 1 p.m., move those clocks up). After that, it’s Monday (7:10 p.m.), Tuesday (1 p.m.), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 p.m.) and next Sunday, March 15 (post time 1:10 p.m). Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily (all provided Mother Nature cooperates).
(Yonkers Raceway)