Perfect cover gets Messenger winner home

Yonkers Raceway was the scene for two $36,000 harness racing co-feature Opens Thursday (May 4).

In the 5^th race 3–5-Year-Old Open Pace, a perfect outside trip by driver Daniel Dube was able to get 4-1 Pleaseletmeknow (American Ideal – I Said Please) to the winner’s circle with ease.

Feelin Western (Jordan Stratton) was first on the lead off the gate with Kootenay Santanna (Yannick Gingras) sitting the two-hole trip as they race single file past the opening quarter in :27.3.

Coming to the half mile, race favorite Southwind Petyr (Joe Bongiorno) started up first-over and grabbing the second-over cover was Pleaseletmeknow and Dube. They passed the half mile marker in :56.3.

Heading down the backstretch, Southwind Petyr was able to gain on pacesetter Feelin Western as they went by the three-quarters in 1:24.4. Still in fourth place at the top of the stretch, Pleaseletmeknow went into high gear down the stretch with a :28 last quarter to blow by the field and win by two and one-half lengths in 1:53.2. Southwind Petyr was second with Caviat Sargent (Brent Holland) third.

PLEASELETMEKNOW REPLAY

It was the first win in four starts this season for Pleaseletmeknow, who was last year’s winner of the Messenger Pace at Yonkers. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Travis Alexander for owner-breeder Fiddler’s Creek Stable, LLC. He paid $10.60 to win.

In the 8^th race $36,000 Mares Open-Handicap Trot, it was another case of the winner given a perfect trip to score off of and getting that trip was Hey Livvy (Donato Hanover) from driver Jordan Stratton.

Herculisa and driver Jason Bartlett were first on the lead from post five with Hey Livvy also leaving and taking the two-hole tuck. Herculisa cut fractions of :27.3 and :57 to the half before any started up a challenge.

PC Free Wheeling (Daniel Dube) started up first-over going in the backstretch and getting the outside over was race favorite No Mas Drama (Jim Marohn, Jr.) as Herculisa still lead past the three-quarters in 1:26.1.

By the top of the stretch, PC Free Wheeling began to fade and Hey Livvy found clearance and took on Herculisa, passing her by to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:56. Herculisa was second with No Mas Drama third.

HEY LIVVY REPLAY

It was the third win this year for Hey Livvy. The eight-year-old mare is trained by Jeff Gillis for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc., Trevor Henry, Ellen Ott and Jeff Gillis. She paid $7.70 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink