Yonkers Raceway returned after a brief, early-June hiatus Saturday night, with a baker's-dozen bonanza highlighted by a $44,000 Open Handicap Pace and a pair of $20,000 Lismore Pace eliminations
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Classic Line N (Cat Manzi), who was 21-1 when he won this race four weeks ago, had a few more friends at the windows this evening.
Sent off as the 13-10 choice from the pole, Classic Line N was alert from the outset, as was B B Torio (Ryan Anderson). Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis), away third, then quarter-moved from third. He led through intervals of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.1. Tenant in Chief (Jeff Gregory) offered mild, first-up pressure, but Psilvuheartbreaker owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.
Classic Line N edged out for the drive, then wore down the leader late. The stalker was up by a head in 1:52.1, matching both a season- and life-best. B B Torio, Southwind Tabor (Billy Dobson) and Blue Boy (Jason Bartlett) completed the cashers.
For Classic Line N, a six-year-old Down Under son of Life Sign trained by Darren Cassar for Pace to Place and Fiddler's Creek Stables, he returned $4.60 for his sixth win in 16 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $16.60, with the triple returning $123.
Saturday night also included a pair of elimination races for the Lismore Pace. Eleven three-year-old fillies tried to wedge their way into eight berths for next Saturday's $293,970 final.
Elim honours went to Jim Morrill Jr., Tracy Brainard and Bulletproof Enterprises, who swept 'em both as driver, trainer and owner, respectively.
Kabbalah Karen grabbed the lead from her outside five-hole in the first elimination, then finished what she started.
The daughter of Western Terror held off Jkmusicofthenite (Stephane Bouchard) by a neck in 1:56.1. Indulge Me (Mike Lachance), the 7-10 favourite, was a non-threatening third, with Notjustaprettyface (Jordan Stratton) earning the final "final" invite from this race.
"Karen," coupled in the wagering with fifth-place finisher Model Magnate (Bartlett), returned $11.20 (second choice) for her second in four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $32.80.
Not Enough, the lone $30,000 supplemental entrant into this event, was a pocket victress from the pylons in the second Lismore trial.
The daughter of Grinfromeartoear picked off a stubborn, pace-setting Spoiled Beach (Dave Palone) by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2. In the Game (Manzi), a third Bulletproof rep to make the final of the Lismore, grabbed third here, with Pumptuous (Stratton) fourth and into the final.
B Intensified (Bartlett)--parked for her troubles--and an outrun Jordans Jewell (Gregory) rounded out the order.
Not Enough, part of the odds-on favoured duo, paid $3.40 for her fourth win in as many '09 tries. The exacta returned a popular $4.70.
Next Saturday night is also, of course, the 19th edition of the Art Rooney Pace. Seven three-year-old colts--alphabetically, Barber Pole, Fireintheshark, Hypnotic Blue Chip, If I Can Dream, Mobile, Monkey Off My Back and Venice Menace--are set to chase $421,850.
Please note that the open draws for both the Rooney and Lismore Paces take place Tuesday afternoon.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)