Season-debuting Artistic Major (Brent Holland, $15.40) and odds-on Meladys Monet (Jason Bartlett, $3.30) shared the Saturday night glory, winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $40,000 Open Handicaps.
The week’s marquee pace had a different look, with many of the just-concluded George Morton Levy Series participants getting some well-deserved R&R.
At the outset, Mister Bling A (Jordan Stratton) was put in play, as was outside assignee Atta Boy Dan (George Brennan). The latter, as the slight 3-1 choice, broke, leaving “Bling” to his own devices (:27.4, :56.3, 1:24.4).
Fiery Lustre N (Bartlett) was pocketed, while Artistic Major—from post position No. 2—was taking out of third. That one, opposing all elders, engaged a tiring leader in and out of the final turn, then put him away.
Once in front, Artistic Major held off the foe on his back, Jeneral Patton (Pat Lachance) by a half-length in 1:52.1. Fiery Lustre N, Mister Bing A and Domethatgain (Dan Dube) rounded out the payees.
For fifth choice Artistic Major, a four-year-old son of Art Major co-owned by (trainer) Steve Elliott, Michael Cimiglio, David Van Dusen and Gunjan Patel, his fresh pari-mutuel Lasix win was his 11th in 26 career starts.
The week’s trotting feature was simple as simple of simple could be for Meladys Money, who—from post No. 7—stole away (:28.3, :58.2, 1:27.2, 1:55.1). His two-length lead entering the lane was 2-¼ lengths at the wire.
Luminosity (Brennan) was a two-move second, with a pocket-sitting Somebody AS (Stratton) fading to third. Homen Dry (Dube) and Dewycolorintheline (Tyler Buter) settled for the remainder.
For Meladys Monet, a seven-year-old Revenue S gelding owned Melady Enterprises and trained by Kevin McDermott, he’s now 3-for-4 this season
(Yonkers Raceway)