With no distaff derby on the social schedule, other high-condition contests for the ladies led Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night festivities.
A $23,000 event saw a pocketed—from post position No. 2—Shezza GNP N (Jordan Stratton, $5.90) just prevailed over a hard-charging, 71-1 I Wish You Well (Pat Lachance) in 1:54.4. The margin was a head. It was 41-1 Blush Hanover (George Brennan) rallying for third, while pace-setting (:26.2, :55.2, 1:24.2) Bellatricks (Brent Holland) faded to fourth.
Betabcool N (Jason Bartlett) picked off the final pay envelope, while 6-5 choice American Empress N (Mark MacDonald) was hung for her troubles and backpedalled to last.
For second choice Shezza GNP N, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Art Major owned (as Tritton Inc) and trained by Peter Tritton, it was her third win 13 seasonal starts.
Yonkers’ mutuel windows open at 11 a.m. Saturday in advance of the 151st Belmont Stakes and Belmont Park’s first post of 11:35 a.m.
(Yonkers)