Yonkers $45,000 co-featured Open Handicaps

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, August 20, 2016 — Centurion ATM (Steve Smith, $33.80) and Feel the Need A (Eric Goodell, $5.10) were the names above the harness racing marquee Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $45,000 co-featured Open Handicaps.

Centurion ATM surprised in the weekly trotting feature in a first-up and first-home effort. Away fourth from post position No. 3, he saw 9-10 choice Melady's Monet (Tyler Buter) led through intervals of :28, 58 and 1:27.1.

Centurion ATM moved in a hurry, disposing of 'Melady' just after the thee-quarters and taking off. He opened three lengths entering the lane, then held a belated Undercover Strike (Jason Bartlett) by a half-length in 1:55.1.

Lady's Dude (George Brennan), Allerage Star (Dan Dube) and Melady's Monet rounded out the payees.

For fifth choice Centurion ATM, a 4-year-old son of S J's Caviar trained by Ake Svanstedt for co-owners Courant A B and Knuttson Trotting, it was his second win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $223.50, with the triple returning $1,613.

It was a much better effort for 'Centurion" than his only other local try, breaking early and often as the odds-on choice in an elim for the 2015 Yonkers Trot.

The week's adult pace saw favored Feel the Need A make it 3-for-3 since coming stateside. From post No. 5, he two-moved before the quarter, taking over from Doctor Butch (Brent Holland) and zipping around the pylons (:27.1, :55.3, 1:23.3, life-best 1:50.4).

Doctor Butch ducked inside, but missed a half-length. Western Rockstar A (Joe Bongiorno) was third, with Great Vintage (Dan Dube) and P H Supercam (Bartlett) dead-heating for fourth.

For Feel the Need A, a 7-year-old Down Under Speed King gelding trained by Chris Oakes for co-owners Susan Oakes and Wier All In, he's now 5-for-14 this season. The exacta paid $17.20, the triple returned $114.50 and the superfectas paid $359.50/$303.50 (Great Vintage fourth/P H Supercam fourth).

Not that since no one hit Saturday's Pick 5 wager, Monday evening's (Aug. 22) gimmick begins with a carryover of $3,501.50 (50-cent base wager. races 7 through 11).

Frank Drucker