Ginger and Fred (catch-driver Larry Stalbaum), given a perfect Friday night second-over trip from an imperfect eight-hole assignment, grabbed Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,500 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace
.
The millionairess, last seen in these environs winning the $237,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker in early May, grabbed a seat fifth as the slight 2-1 favourite. She then stalked both pacesetting Twin B Tiara (Stephane Bouchard) and the first-up Soiree (Jordan Stratton) in a distaff derby with weigh stations of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.2.
Ginger And Fred went wide, whipping a third-over Little Mermaid N (Jim Pantaleano) by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:54. Sherri On Ice (Brent Holland), Twin B Tiara and a season-debuting Shacked Up (Jeff Gregory) grabbed the small change.
For Ginger And Fred, a four-year-old daughter of Real Artist trained by Ronnie Burke for co-owners Robert Feldman, Edwin Gold, Howard Taylor and Jerry Silva, she returned $6.30 for her fourth win in 16 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $43.80, with the triple returning $245.50.
Friday night's co-featured $42,500 Open Handicap Trot saw 20-1 proposition Lady In The Wind (Cat Manzi) kiss the boys and make 'em cry.
Leaving from post position No. 2, she moved from fourth to go after Pembroke Prayer (Brandon Simpson) after that one led through intervals of :28, :58.4 and 1:28. Y F Little Guy (Pantaleano), the 3-4 choice, went wide down the backside, figuring the lass was done.
Nope. Lady In The Wind found her second wind, grabbing the lead early stretch and easily holding the people's choice at bay by a length-and-a-quarter 1:57.2...matching her previous season's-best. Last week's winner, Hurrikanebiggeorge (Bouchard), New Hampshire Boy (Steve Smith) and Swift Kid (Matt Kakaley) rounded out this week's payees.
For Lady In The Wind, a four-year-old daughter of Windsongs Legacy owned by Dreamland Farms and trained by Joe King, she returned $42 (seventh choice) for her fourth win in 14 '10 tries. The exacta paid $168, with the triple returning $846.
Saturday night offers eliminations for both the 56th Yonkers Trot--first jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown--and its companion event, the Hudson Filly.
The pair of $40,000 Yonkers Trot elims (Races 8 and 9), as well as the pair of $20,000 Hudson elims (Races 4 and 6) shall determine the eight finalists for each events. Both stakes finales are scheduled for a week from Saturday (July 10), worth $573,770 (Yonkers) and $299,050 (Hudson), respectively.
(Yonkers Raceway)