Evenin Of Pleasure was a two-move sharpie Saturday, June 16, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Leaving the gate from assigned post-position 6, Evenin Of Pleasure found a three-hole behind race-favourite Missile J and pocket-sitter Artful Way. The former led through early intervals of :27.4 and :56.3.
Evenin Of Pleasure then went after the leader, engaging Missile J at three-quarters in 1:23.4. With urging from his chauffeur, Evenin Of Pleasure grabbed a short lead entering the lane. He couldn’t open any nighttime daylight, though, as Missile J hung around.
Evenin Of Pleasure did prevail, however, by a margin of three-quarter lengths in a season-best 1:51, matching the fastest local mile of the season. Missile J settled for second, with Pacing Major N, Theartofconfusion A and Somewhere Fancy rounding out the payees.
For second choice Evenin Of Pleasure, an eight-year-old son of Dragon Again owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, it was his fourth win in 10 starts this season. Driven by Joe Bongiorno, he paid $5.20 to win.
The first of nine Sunday matinees in an 11-week span offers a Father’s Day, June 17 with first post at 12:35 p.m.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)