As was written seven short nights ago, Newborn Sassy (Jordan Stratton, $6.10) is just better right now. She proved it again Friday night (Sept. 7), easily winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace while becoming the sport’s newest millionairess.
Not even an assigned eight-hole hindrance could deter her appointed rounds here. Strung out early by Medusa (Brian Sears), Newborn Sassy made the lead before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile.
After a rated :29.1 next station (:56.3 intermission), 6-5 favourite Magic Forces (George Brennan) tried it first-up from fifth.
However, a :27.4 third quarter (1:24.2) dismissed that one as Newborn Sassy owned a length and a half lead into the lane. Medusa edged out, but wasn’t close to reaching, the final margin a length in 1:52. Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett), Angels Pride (Brent Holland) and Lispatty (Mark MacDonald) settled for the minors. Magic Forces retreated to seventh.
For second choice Newborn Sassy, a five-year-old daughter of Western Ideal owned by CC Racing & Joann Looney-King and trained by Jim King Jr., the win was her ninth in 27 seasonal starts (fifth in last seven tries, career 32-for-76, earnings $1,007,445). The exacta paid $21.80, the triple returned $99 and the superfecta paid $470.
“She can race either way,” Stratton said. “This week, some of the better mares she’s been facing weren’t here, but she beat a good group and the eight-hole is never an easy job.”
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)