Three-wide move takes $32,000 Open

After making a three-wide move in the backstretch, Ontario-invader Intothemysticmoon (Artspeak) was able to grind it out against Dougs Babe A in winning a photo finish to capture the $32,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace Friday (Dec. 15) at Yonkers Raceway.

The 9^th race feature saw Coachellabound N (Brent Holland) take early command of the race from post four with race favorite Tony’s Mom (Jason Barlett) parked out first-over from the start and La Bella Vita N (Matt Kakaley) getting the two-hole trip to the first quarter in :26.4.

The battle continued between Coachellabound N and Tony’s Mom for control of the lead past the half mile marker in :55.2. Then in the backstretch, 8-1 Intothemysticmoon and driver George Brennan swept three-wide from fifth place, blew by Tony’s Mom and by the three-quarters in 1:23.4 was noses apart from pacesetter Coachellabound N.

Around the final turn and by the top of the stretch, Intothemysticmoon was still a nose off of Coachellabound. Then in the stretch, Intothemysticmoon put away Coachellabound N, but then had to fight off a late charging Dougs Babe A (Austin Siegelman) and it took the photo finish camera to declare Intothemysticmoon the winner by a nose in 1:52.3. Uptown Hanover (Jordan Stratton) was third.

INTOTHEMYSTICMOON REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the season for Intothemysticmoon, who was just purchased less than a month ago. The four-year-old mare is now trained by Mickey Burke, Jr. for new owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura. She paid $19.40 to win.

The final Friday card (December 15) of the year at MGM Yonkers Raceway saw no winning tickets in the Pick 5, leading to a $4,571.80 carryover and a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the sequence when racing resumes on Monday (December 18).

The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5, courtesy of TrackMaster, will be available here. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 percent.

Live racing for 2023 at MGM Yonkers Raceway wraps up next week with programs on Monday through Thursday nights. Post time is 7 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink