Off-the-layoff Tessa Seelster (George Brennan, $12.40) finished what she started Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's harness racing $40,000 filly and mare Open Handicap Pace.
In play early from her assigned post position No. 2, it was "Tessa" working around Mach it a Par (Brian Sears). She then completed her rounds (:27.4, :56.3, 1:24.2, 1:52.1) while beating her seven elders.
Carolsideal (Dan Dube), as the 9-5 favorite, hung around first-up, though never getting to "Tessa," who owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. She held off a second-over Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett) by a neck, with Mach it a Par, Caroslideal and Al Raza N (Mark MacDonald) settling for the remainder.
For third choice Tessa Seelster, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jonathan Newman, she's now 4-for-4 this season after her first purse start since late January. The exacta paid $82.50, the triple returned $337 and the superfecta paid $1,335.
Friday evening's $30,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace was won by Know it All (Eric Abbatiello, $10) in 1:54.
Derby Day Saturday finds the Raceway in full Churchill Downs simulcast mode, with selected mutuel windows opening at 10 AM in advance of a 10:30 AM first post. The track apron has music, food and drink specials and the obligatory hat contest (with special guest judge Bethenny Frankel and cash prizes). The regular live program begins at 7:10 PM.
YONKERS’ SATURDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $3,700 CARRYOVER
A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Saturday’s (May 7) Derby Night Pick 5 wager begins with a carryover of $3,779.89.
The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 7 through 11 during every racing program. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Friday evening), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program.
Frank Drucker