Rich And Miserable snapped odds-on Swansea at the line Tuesday night, April 23, winning the $73,000 final of Yonkers Raceway/Standardbred Owners Association of New York Bonus Trotting Series.
Away last among the octet from post position seven, Rich And Miserable saw 4-5 favourite Swansea—who won in the three preliminaries—made the lead well before a :28.3 opening quarter-mile. Eight-holer Joey Bats floated out, then moved to engage the leader from the second turn passing a :56.3 half-mile.
Joey Bats eventually jumped in turn three, leaving a pocket-inheriting Whether Or No Fi as Swansea’s closest pursuer. Chasin Dreams was making some inroads in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, with Rich And Miserable chasing Chasin Dreams.
Swansea, meanwhile, owned a length-and-a-half lead entering the lane, but Rich And Miserable was widest and fastest. From 10 lengths out of the intermission, he whipped Swansea by a schnoz in 1:55.1. Whether Or No Fi, Chasin Dreams and No Excuses came away with the remainder, while an outrun Omaha Omaha and misbehavers Joey Bats and Henderson Seelster brought up the rear.
For third choice Rich And Miserable, a four-year-old Explosive Matter gelding co-owned by Buter Farm, Lynette Buter, William & Carol Fuhs and trained by Todd Buter, it was his second win in four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $34.40, the triple returned $157 and the superfecta paid $602. Dave Miller sat behind the $11.80 winner.
The series was open to three-year-olds and their elders who were non-winners of six parimutuel races and/or $100,000 through this past Feb. 1st (winners over $150,000 lifetime through that same date ineligible). Rich And Miserable also earned an SOA-paid $10,000 bonus.
A $35,000 series consolation was won by MVP Luke, driven by David Miller, in 1:56.4. As part of a betting entry, he paid $4.00 to win.
A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Thursday, April 25's Pick-5 wager starts with a carryover of $6,712.86 and a $20,000 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 6 through 10 Thursday night. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Tuesday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.
(with files from Yonkers Raceway)