Keystone Velocity, driven by Dan Dube, prevailed from second-over Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $46,000 Open Handicap Pace.
The field, reduced to seven after the on-track scratch (lame) of Silent Swing, saw 11-10 favourite Sapphire City (Brian Sears) hand the baton to Annieswesterncard (George Brennan) just after a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. Annieswesterncard found a seemingly-comfy :56.1 intermission before American Rage (Eric Goodell) moved from fourth. It was Keystone Velocity -- from post position No. 4 after that defection -- towed in behind that one going toward the 1:24.1 three-quarters.
Annieswesterncard had given up the ghost off the final turn, with American Rage taking over. However, all he did was point the way for Keystone Velocity, who went right by. The final margin was two and a half lengths in 1:51.4, matching his season's best effort. Pan From Nantucket (Jordan Stratton) closed for second, with American Rage, Sapphire City and Jerrys Brown Gold (Pat Lachance) rounding out the payees. Annieswesterncard tired to sixth
For Keystone Velocity, a five-year-old son of Western Hanover trained by Frank Kamine for owner Lauretta Galm, he returned $15.60 (fourth choice) for his third win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $101.50, with the triple returning $314.
(Yonkers Raceway)