Reformed claimer MacRaider N (George Brennan) showed he belonged at the adult table Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $43,000 Open Handicap Pace
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Leaving outside his five rivals, MacRaider N fell into an immediate pocket. He stalked 3-5 choice Clowns Smile (Eric Goodell), as that one--going after a fifth consecutive victory and sixth win in the last seven tries--zipped through intervals of :27.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4.
Saint William A (Jason Bartlett), who had taken out of third to challenge, began to back away in and out of the final turn.
Clowns Smile clung to a short lead at the 1:52.4 mile marker, but MacRaider N ducked inside and picked him off. The latter beat the former by a half-length in 1:59.3. Saint William A, Lindys Bandit (Dan Dube) and Howyadoinpal (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the remainder, with Lahaye (Jim Pantaleano) gaining something for the experience.
For MacRaider N, a seven-year-old Down Under Mach Three gelding owned by Lightning Lane Stable and trained by Lou Pena, he returned $8.10 for his seventh win in 15 seasonal starts (sixth in last eight). The exacta paid $18.80, with the triple returning $42.80.
(Yonkers Raceway)