Purrfect Bags (Jordan Stratton) rallied to snap odds-on Tessa Seelster (George Brennan) at the wire Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Unhurried from post position No. 5, last season’s Lady Maud winner watched as 3-5 favourite ‘Tessa’ made the lead before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile.
After a soft 57-second intermission, Bettor N Better (Dan Dube) moved from fourth, towing along Purrfect Bags. Tessa Seelster then threw down a :27.4 third quarter (1:24.4), taking a length and a half lead into the lane.
However, the returning lass was relentless, as Purrfect Bags, wide and strong, nipped the people’s choice by a neck in 1:52.4. Bettor N Better was third, with Know It All (Eric Abbatiello) and Regil Elektra (Mark MacDonald) rounding out the payees.
For fourth choice Purrfect Bags, a four-year-old daughter of Roddys Bags Again owned and trained by Jo Ann Looney-King, the win was her fifth in 11 seasonal starts (career 22-for-34). The exacta paid $57.50, with the triple returning $298.50.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)