Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps -- one for distaff pacers and one for trotters of any affiliation -- were won by a from-last Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett, $93.50) and a stubborn Traverse Seelster (Tyler Buter, $5.20).
Venus Delight, beginning outside of her foes, viewed from the rear as 3-2 choice Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton) made the lead around Scandalous Hanover (Eric Carlson). After a :27.1 opening quarter and seemingly-soft :56.3 intermission, no one moved in front of Royal Cee Cee N (George Brennan), who did so from sixth.
That brought up both last week’s victress, Campanile (Buter), as well as Venus Delight, while Robin Cruiser found a 1:25.2 three-quarters.
“Robin” maintained a short lead into the lane, until the outer flow rolled her over. Royal Cee Cee N went by first, then Campanile, then finally Venus Delight. That one whipped Campanile by a head in 1:53.2, with Royal Cee Cee N, Scandalous Hanover and a tiring Robin Cruiser rounding out the payees.
For seventh choice Venus Delight, a four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight trained by PJ Fraley for owner Bamond Racing, it was her fifth win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $595, with the triple returning $940.
The week’s marquee trot saw Ontario-sired Traverse Seelster -- one of several leavers, he from post position No. 5 -- settle early before stepping past pole assignee Bingo Queen (Eric Goodell). “Traverse,” as the 8-5 favourite, shooed just about everyone away through sub-stations of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.
The lone “nuisance” was a first-up Obrigado (Bartlett), who chased the leader for all he was worth before missing a length in 1:55.1. Somebody AS (Dan Dube) was third, beaten three and a half lengths, with Rossini (Larry Stalbaum) and The Triple Lindy (Carlson) settling for the small change.
Traverse Seelster, a six-year-old Angus Hall gelding owned by Keith Pippi and trained by Amber Buter, is now 13-for-25 this season. The exacta (two wagering favourites) paid $14.80, the triple returned $111 and the superfecta paid $632.
Also Friday, Yonkers honoured New York State racing inspector Matt Bibbo, who is retiring Saturday night.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)