Regil Elektra (Jason Bartlett, $6.20) plotzed into an early pocket and it served her well Friday night (July 7), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.
In play from post position No. 3, Regil Elektra was able to get in behind pole-sitting Frost Damage Blues (Brian Sears), then stalk the 11-10 favourite around a moist oval (:27.3, :56.2, 1:24, season’s-best 1:52.2).
Frost Damage Blues, off three weeks after her Canadian stakes engagement, seated everyone early before getting grief from a first-up Mach It A Par (Brent Holland). She put away that stubborn lass, taking a length lead into the lane.
However, she wilted late, as Regil Elektra edged inside to win by three-quarters of a length. Frost Damage Blues saved second, third went to a second-up Lispatty (George Brennan), while Betabcool N (Steve Smith) and Mach It A Par settled for the remainder.
For second choice Regil Elektra, a seven-year-old daughter of Mach Three owned by Fred Monteleone Stable and trained by Keith Armer, the win was her eighth in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $15.80, the triple returned $39.20 and the superfecta paid an even $200.
Saturday night (July 8), the Raceway offers three, $25,000 eliminations for the Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace (two-year-old colts/geldings). The leading frosh (first two in each elim, plus two fastest third-placers) return for the $110,500 finale next Saturday (July 15).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)