Handsome Prince (Yannick Gingras), parked two turns, nevertheless held Saturday night sway, winning Yonkers Raceway's $42,500 Open Handicap Pace
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In play early from post position No. 7, Handsome Prince had to wait patiently to grab the lead somewhere between the :28.3 opening quarter-mile and 57-second intermission. Arduous, as the 6-5 choice, came first-up as the gang approached the 1:24.3 three-quarters.
Handsome Prince put away that interloper and owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. He defeated inside assignee Lahaye (Jason Bartlett) by a length in 1:52.3, with Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance), Ghees House (Brent Holland) and Arduous completing the cashers.
For Handsome Prince, a five-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and M1 Stable, returned $6.10 (second choice) for his fifth win in 15 seasonal starts (four wins and a second since the barn change). The exacta paid $51, with the triple returning $167.50.
New York Sire Stakes continue here next week, beginning with Monday night's $233,675 Mike Cohen Trot (2-year-old fillies), then Tuesday night with $282,050 Scarsdale Trot (3-year-old fillies) and Thursday night with the $242,228 Tuckahoe Pace (2-year-old colts/geldings).
Yonkers' current live harness racing schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect, with first post at 7:10 p.m.
(Yonkers)