Mach’s Beach Boy prevails in $35,000 Open

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, March 14, 2015– Favored Mach's Beach Boy and harness racing driver Pat Lachance ($5.60), prevailed from a soggy pocket Saturday night, annexing Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Pace.

Winning the blind draw, Mach's Beach Boy was only going to allow one horse to outleave him, and that one was Warrawee Needy (Mark MacDonald). Beach Memories was summarily stuffed into a three-hole before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. After a 56.4 intermission, Beach Memories was trying his luck again, going to challenge "Needy" by the 1:24.2 three-quarters.

Warrawee Needy appeared to have some nighttime daylight, owning a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. However, Mach's Beach Boy dove into a damp passing lane and went by. He edged away by a couple of lengths in 1:52.4. Beach Memories held third, with a rallying Pancetta (Brian Sears) and Fat Man's Alley (Jason Bartlett) earning the minor moolah.

For Mach's Beach Boy, a 6-year-old Mach Three gelding Ontario co-owned by Dan Mogridge and Jeffrey Osborne, it was his fourth win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $13, with the triple (three wagering favorites in order) returning $28.60.

Stakes/series action continues next week. Monday, it's the second round of the Petticoat Pacing Series. Tuesday, the second round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series. Friday, the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and Saturday, opening round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.

The Raceway's live season continues Sunday (post time 1:10 PM), our final "French-centic" Sunday until November. After that, it's Monday (7:10 PM), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 PM). Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.

Frank Drucker