Gallie Bythe Beach and harness racing driver Matt Kakaley returned to town sharp Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $32,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace.
In play early from post position No. 5 (she won the 5-thru-8) draw, "Gallie" was one of four leavers. She took a brief seat third before moving around Jungle Genie N (Brian Sears).
Gallie Bythe Beach made the lead right the :28.3 opening-quarter mile, then rated a soft, :29.4 second station (:58.2 half). From there, 13-10 favorite Sell a Bit N (Jordan Stratton), who had found a four-hole from post No. 8, went after the leader.
However, Gallie Bythe Beach opened some acreage in and out the 1:26.2 three-quarters, taking a length-and-three-quarter lead into the lane. She closed the sale, beating a stubborn Sell a Bit N by a length in 1:55.1.
Regil Elektra (Jason Bartlett) was along for third, with last week's victress, Rockn Ruby N (Dan Dube), and Jungle Genie N rounding out the payees.
For second choice Gallie Bythe Beach, a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Somebeachsomewhere owned by Fashion Farms and trained by Jim Campbell, it was her first win in a pair of seasonal starts.. The exacta paid $16.60, with the triple returning $56.50.
The Raceway's live season continues Saturday night (first post 7:10 PM) and a "French" Sunday afternoon (first post 12:30 PM).
Frank Drucker