New Zealand import breezes in Open

All it took was going to the front and never looking back as New Zealand harness racing import Speed Man N wired the field in capturing the $39,000 Open Pace Monday at Yonkers Raceway.

With Joe Bongiorno in the sulky, Speed Man N left from the rail in the 8^th race feature and had no trouble leading the field to the first quarter mile in :27 flat with Runrunjimmydunn N (Jason Bartlett) sitting the two-hole trip.

By the half mile the action began to heat up as Diamondbeach (George Brennan) came first-over with Priceless Beach (Yannick Gingras) following second-over to the half in :55.4.

Speed Man N and Bongiorno kept the field at bay, up by one and one-half lengths past the three-quarters in 1:23.4 with Diamondbeach still trying on the outside and Runrunjimmydunn N sitting the pocket-seat waiting for an opportunity.

Then down the stretch Speed Man N kicked in a :27.4 last quarter mile to win going away by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:51.3. Runrunjimmydunn N was second with Priceless Beach third.

SPEED MAN N REPLAY

And eight-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover, it was his fourth win this year. He is trained by Doug Dilloian, Jr. for the Dilloian Stable and Pit Bull Stable. He paid $14.60 to win.

Yonkers Raceway established a new high-water mark for handle so far in 2022 on Monday night (May 9) as a total of $1,260,683 and change was wagered on the 12-race program. This bettered the previous best of $1,175,667 set on April 25 when Yonkers hosted the finals of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series.

For complete race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink