Yonkers Raceway rolled into summer's last go-round with Friday night's usual pair of $50,000 Open Handicaps
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The week's marquee trot was enlivened by the first local appearance of double millionaire Arch Madness (Brian Sears, three winners on the 13-race card), who was making a rare small-track sojourn.
The public romanced the resume, sending the eight-hole assignee off as the 2-5 favourite. However, like many summer flings, this one had a short shelf life...Arch Madness jumped it off in the first turn.
Meanwhile, Stonebridge Diablo (Stephane Bouchard) was left to his own devices on the lead, rolling through weigh stations of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.2. Green Day (Cat Manzi) pulled from third, with pole-sitter Winnin Image (Greg Grismore) trying to stay close from the pocket.
"Diablo" had a couple of lengths to play with turning for home, but he was beginning to labour this Labour Day weekend. Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory) and Batalj Launcher (Jason Bartlett)--sitting sixth and seventh, respectively, early--were making the biggest noise late.
Beach Nut Brand, last week's winner, closed down the center, while Batalj Launcher--who left from post position No. 7--kept improving position on the cones. In the end, the short way was the right way, with Batalj Launcher getting a nostril decision in a life-best 1:56.
Shutter Boy (Yannick Gingras), Winnin Image and Stonebridge Diablo grabbed the final pay envelopes. Arch Madness did beat a couple of rivals to wind up sixth.
For Batalj Launcher, a seven-year-old Tap In gelding co-owned by trainer Josh Green and Meadowbranch Racing, he returned $45.80 (seventh choice) for his eighth win in two dozen '09 tries. The exacta paid $534, with the triple returning $3,070.
The weekly Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace saw odds-on Still Electric (Bartlett, three winners Friday) prevail after a second-over trip.
Leaving from post No. 6 as the 3-4 choice, Still Electric watched early as Twin B Tiara (Jim Pantaleano) led through fractions of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:25. She dealt with a first-up Hannah Isabel (Pat Lachance), while Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum) was pocketed.
Twin B Tiara owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane, but the favourite was coming. Still Electric went wide and went by, widening to a length-and-a-half in 1:53.3. Quicksilvercandy A photoed Twin B Tiara for second, with Eagle Hilarious (Gregory) and Ramona Disomma (Jordan Stratton) completing the cashers.
For Still Electric, a five-year-old daughter of Mr Electric trained by Kevin Lare for co-owners Thomas Lazzaro, Howard Taylor and Jerry Silva, she returned $3.50 for her 11th win in 24 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28.40, with the triple returning $131.50.
New York Sire Stakes action continues next week at the Raceway. Monday night features the $213,466 Eastchester Trot (three-year-old colts/geldings), Tuesday offers the $218,123 Bedford Pace (three-year-old fillies) and Thursday finds the $179,068 Milt Taylor Trot (two-year-old colts/geldings). There are also NYSS events scheduled for next Friday and Saturday nights.
(Yonkers Raceway)