Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter, $5.70), the horse of a different colour, finished what she started Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
In play at the outset from post position No. 2, “Jonsie” worked around the 7-5 favourite, the pole-sitting Scootin For Joy (Brian Sears). She then threw down the gauntlet through intervals of :28.4, :57, 1:25.3 and 1:53.3. The final margin was a diminishing neck over a cone-skimming Virgin Mary (Eric Carlson), with “Joy” third. Delightful Dragon (George Brennan) and Sir Jillian Z Tam (Pat Lachance) rounded out the payees.
For second choice Jonsie Jones, an eight-year-old grey daughter of Tulane trained by Buter’s wife, Amber, for owner Lrl Racing, it was her fifth win in 14 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $33, with the triple returning $82.
Speaking of Mr. Buter, he and Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model Hannah Davis are included in a blue-ribbon panel Saturday for Empire City’s annual “Fancy Derby Hat Contest” at the track apron. The contest is to be held trackside as part of the festivities and the $1,100 in cash prizes -- $750 (first), $250 (second) and $100 (third) -- are awarded at 5 p.m. (registration from 2-4 p.m.).
Fans are invited to stop by and take a photo with Ms. Davis, and, so as not to hurt his feelings, Mr. Buter as well.
Full-card Churchill simulcasting (141st Derby Day first post is 10:30 a.m.) is, of course, available, with Yonkers’ regular Saturday card beginning at the usual 7:10 p.m.
After that, live harness racing continues at Yonkers on Monday (7:10 p.m.), a French-centric Tuesday (1 p.m., first round of the Jackpot Next Door Claiming Series), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 p.m.). Note Sunday matinees are done until November. Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)