Straight razor-sharp Twin B Tiara (Stephane Bouchard) lasted on her Yonkers Raceway lead Friday night, winning the $42,000 co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace for a sixth consecutive victory
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Twin B Tiara--accorded the role of 6-5 favourite after early choice Western Graduate was a judges' defection--drew post position No. 2 and left for the lead.
She pocketed Cheyenne Trish (Brent Holland), then put up intervals of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4. Down the backside, Hannah Isabel (Cat Manzi) engaged the leader, eventually giving way early stretch. Twin B Tiara then dealt with the lass on her back, holding "Trish" at bay by a nose in 1:54.4. Little Mermaid N (Jim Pantaleano), Hannah Isabel and Winbak Delight (Jordan Stratton) completed the cashers.
For Twin B Tiara, a six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight co-owned by (trainer) Monico Stanislao and Robin Bruce Batcho, she returned $4.50 for her sixth win (all in succession, for those not paying attention) in 11 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $12, with the triple returning $69.
Friday night's co-featured $42,500 Open Handicap Trot was a repeat local performance for Y F Little Guy (Pantaleano). Leaving from post No. 6, he was covered up by slight 8-5 choice Hurrikanebiggeorge (Bouchard) as the latter went after Bad Boy Billy (Pat Lachance).
"Billy" fronted the fray through weigh stations of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:27.4, before wearing out his welcome early in the lane. "Biggeorge" made the lead, but the better trip and the bigger check went to Y F Little Guy. The latter edged away by a length in 1:57. Winnin Image (Matt Kakaley), Shoeless White Sox (Jeff Gregory) and Get Chipped (Stratton) grabbed the small change.
For Y F Little Guy, a seven-year-old Shilling gelding trained by Lou Pena for KDM Stables, he returned $5.20 (also at 8-5, but second choice) for his seventh win (third consecutive) in 19 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $16.80, with the triple returning $88.50.
New York Sire Stakes action continues Tuesday night, with the $282,812 Art Watson Pace for three-year-old fillies drawn and quartered (Races 5 through 8).
(Yonkers Raceway)