Hellabalou returns in Yonkers Invitational

Millionaire Hellabalou (Sweet Lou) makes his 2024 debut as part of a talented harness racing quintet contesting the $35,000 Yonkers Raceway Invitational pace on Monday night (March 4th).

As one of two millionaires in the field, the six-year-old Mickey Burke trainee was required to draw for one of the two outside posts with Yonkers stalwart Covered Bridge (American Ideal).

Hellabalou, who tuned up for this seasonal bow with a nifty 1:52.3 qualifying score at the Meadowlands on February 24th, drew post four, and Yannick Gingras will be at the controls. The 2021 Adios Pace winner comes off his most lucrative season, highlighted by a huge upset score in the Borgatta Series Final where he lit up the Yonkers tote board as a 47 to 1 victor, earning $255,500 of the $542,000 he made last year with that win.

Covered Bridge hasn’t raced since February 12th, when he impressed closing from last to grab third after being required to circle stalled cover on the final turn.

The eight-year-old Jeff Gillis trainee was a game front end winner at the Invitational level in his previous start, taking his 46th lifetime win in his 139th start. He is the highest earner in the field, boasting $1.185 million in earnings to Hellabalou’s $1.055 million. Regular driver Jordan Stratton will steer Covered Bridge, who is listed as the 5 to 2 morning line co-second choice with Hellabalou.

Both millionaires will be tested by morning line favorite Nandolo N (Betterthancheddar) who drew post three and comes into the race with a perfect 2 for 2 record this year.

Most recently, the 10-year-old Shane Tritton trained gelding scored a 1:53.3 first-over win over easier company in the non-winners of $20,000 last five level, but he did kick home in :27.3 racing uncovered.

Jason Bartlett steers the 32-time winner who looks to add to his $721,000 in career earnings.

Moving one post closer to the rail, Idealsomemagic A (American Ideal) makes his second start of the year leaving from post two with driver George Brennan between the wheels. He closed nicely for second in an upper-level Yonkers conditioned race on February 26th which should have him primed for a good effort.

The 10-year-old Cory Stratton pupil comes off a stellar 2023 season where he took 16 wins from 35 starts and earned more than $412,000. Fifteen of those 16 wins came at Yonkers, but his biggest score came in the $250,000 Gerrity Memorial Pace at Saratoga, where he stormed home racing widest on the final turn to take his 1:50.0 lifetime mark.

Leaving from the coveted rail post will be Sonny Weaver N (Sunshine Beach) who comes in off a win at the Yonkers non-winners of $30,000 last five class where he paced a :27.4 final quarter to take a 1:52.4 win.

Matt Kakaley steers the Jeff Cullipher trainee who has won 11 of his last 36 starts.

Here is the full field for the Invitational Pace which goes as race nine and is scheduled to go at 9:40 p.m. Eastern:

1. Sonny Weaver – Matt Kakaley – 4/1

2. Idealsomemagic A – George Brennan – 5/1

3. Nandolo N – Jason Bartlett – 2/1

4. Hellabalou – Yannick Gingras – 5/2

5. Covered Bridge – Jordan Stratton – 5/2

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink