Yonkers invitational won by first-over move

Having to race first-over from after the half mile, Hemsworth N (Sweet Lou) and harness racing driver Austin Siegelman were up to the task in capturing the $39,000 Invitational Pace Monday (June 24) at Yonkers Raceway.

The 8^th race feature saw race favorite Hellabalou (Joe Bongiorno) shoot right out to the early lead and then coming with a brush to take over after a quick :26.3 opening panel was Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton).

They raced single file to the half mile marker in :55.2 with Covered Bridge leading the way. In the backstretch Hemsworth N moved first-over for Siegelman with Big Gulp (Mark MacDonald) second-over. At the three-quarters in 1:23.2, Hemsworth N was collaring Covered Bridge and Hellabalou was trapped in the pocket.

The two leaders would then battle neck and neck all the down the stretch with Hemsworth N grinding by Covered Bridge in deep stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.1. Covered Bridge was second with Hellabalou third after trying to swing three-wide late in the stretch.

HEMSWORTH N REPLAY

For Hemsworth N, it was his second straight win in the Invitational at Yonkers and his fourth victory of the season. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Jared Bako for 1362313 Ontario LTD and he paid $9.70 to win.

In the 4^th race $35,000 Open Pace for 3-5-year-olds, race favorite Venturesome Arden N (Captaintreacherous) and driver Jordan Stratton closed from last place at the top of the stretch to win it all in a photo finish.

Pound For Pound (Brent Holland) grinded it out on the outside against All Class (Jason Bartlett) to take the lead at the first quarter in :26.4. He then led to the half mile in :56.1 with no challengers.

Then in the backstretch Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley) came first-over with Kingsville (Jim Marohn, Jr.) second-over with Venturesome Arden N third-over. Pound For Pound was holding off Pleaseletmeknow passing the three-quarters in 1:24.1.

Parked out around the final turn, Pleaseletmeknow was relentless against Pound For Pound as they started down the stretch. Those two raced neck and neck with All Class finding room to join the fray, but it was Venturesome Arden N, seventh at the top of the stretch, but full of momentum, kicking in a :28 last quarter and caught the group at the wire to win by a nose in 1:53.1.

Pleaseletmeknow was second with All Class third by a neck and Pound For Pound fourth by three-quarters of a length.

VENTURESOME ARDEN N REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the season for Venturesome Arden N. The five-year-old gelding is owned and trained by Ricky Bucci of New York and paid $5.10 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink