Semalu Express timed it just right Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $40,000 Open Handicap Pace by a scant schnoz.
With Jim Meittinis driving for trainer David McNamara, Semalu Express--at hard-charging second in this event a week ago--just did get the better of a stubborn Wholly Louy (Jeff Gregory). That one, the slight 5-2 favorite, had stepped around pole-sitting Goose Creek (Jason Bartlett). ‘Louy’ led through ambitious intervals of :26.4, 55.3 and 1:23.3 over the "good" going.
Swami Sayz (Brent Holland), parked for his troubles, was never able to get close and backed through the field. That forced Albert Chief A (Pat Berry) wide early. Semalu Express--leaving from penultimate position No. 7--set it up behind ‘Albert’ while Wholly Louy took a length-and-a-three-quarter lead into the lane.
The pace-setter led every step but the last, with a moving Semalu Express getting the nod in a season-best 1:53. Albert Chief A, Image of Dawn (Pat Lachance) and Up Front Peyton (Stephane Bouchard) earned the final pay envelopes.
For Semalu Express, a four-year-old son of Rustler Hanover co-owned by the conglomerate of Quick, Farkas, Silverstein and Rabinowitz, he returned $27.20 (seventh choice) for his seventh win in 27 seasonal starts. He went over the $400,000 career cash plateau in the process. The exacta paid $105.50, with the triple returning $511.
Earlier in the evening, the Raceway honoured Jason Bartlett with a congratulatory sign, recognizing his selection as the U.S. representative in the 2009 World Driving Championship. The event is scheduled for next May in Norway.
(Yonkers Raceway, Photo Courtesy of Mike Lizzi/Yonkers)