The trotter and the driver are heating up with the weather. Stonebridge Diablo repeated as local Open Handicap Trot champ, winning Yonkers Raceway's Friday night co-feature with a life mark in career start No. 106, no less
. "Diablo" also went over the $600,000 career cash plateau.
With Stephane Bouchard driving--one of his five winners of the night--for trainer Casie Coleman, Stonebridge Diablo was put in play early from post position No. 5. He then passed the baton to Green Day (Cat Manzi) before a spiffy :27.4 opening quarter-mile.
Green Day, the 2007 Yonkers Trot champ (see shameless reminder about the '09 edition below), then found a :57.2 intermission before One Man Show S (Brent Holland) moved from fourth.
Green Day battled with that one in and out of the 1:26.4 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter-lead into the lane.
However, neither the pursuer nor the pocket-sitter had designs on leaving. "Diablo" ducked inside, taking the short way home in 1:56.1, one-fifth faster than his former fastest foray, done as a three-year-old.
Stonebridge Diablo defeated One Man Show S by a length in that career-best effort, with Green Day salvaging the bottom of the ticket. Spur Ann E (Greg Grismore) and Armbro Barrister (Steve Smith) completed the cashers, while 17-10 favourite Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory) was a non-factor sixth.
For Stonebridge Diablo, a seven-year-old Angus Hall gelding co-owned by California's de facto governor, Alan Kirschenbaum, along with two Waples (Ron Jr. and Randy) and one Dr. (Sheila) Atmore, he paid $10.20 (second choice) for his seventh win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $139.50, with the triple returning $922
Friday night's co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace saw inside assignee Eagle Hilarious (Gregory) mind her business in a three-hole, get the passing lane and author a 14-1 upset. Eagle Hilarious sat behind both Twin B Tiara (Jim Pantaleano) and Saymynamesaymyname (Grismore) as the former stepped around the latter and led through intervals of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.4.
After Leanback Coco (Manzi) stalled first-over, Saymynamesaymyname angled out to go after Twin B Tiara. That left the short way to Eagle Hilarious, who zipped through to defeat Twin B Tiara by three-quarters-of-a-length. The 1:54.2 effort knocked four ticks off the previous personal best she had in her most recent try two weeks ago.
Saymynamesaymyname, K G Delight and 3-2 choice Pancleefandarpels (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the loose change.
For Eagle Hilarious, a five-year-old Dragon Again lass owned and trained by Timmy Yannone, she paid $31.40 (seventh choice among the octet) for her sixth win in 21 '09 tries. The exacta paid $159.50 with the triple returning $669.
Consider this a friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that the entry box for both the 2009 Yonkers Trot and Hudson Filly Trot closes Tuesday, August 18 at 4 p.m. (ET).
Elimination races--if necessary--for both events are scheduled for Saturday night, Aug.ust 22, with the finals set for Saturday night, August 29. Estimated purses are $510,000 (Yonkers) and $280,000 (Hudson), respectively. The night of the finals also features a T-shirt giveaway (while supplies last).
(Yonkers Raceway)