Yonkers Raceway hosted a pair of $35,000 Invitational Trots Thursday (May 16) at the Hilltop half mile harness racing oval.
First up in the 3rd race was the Invitational Trot that saw a determined Take All Comers (Creatine) and driver Jordan Stratton work their way past Swan In Motion (Jason Bartlett) at the opening quarter mile and then hold the field at bay the rest of the mile race.
Cutting fractions of :27.4 to the quarter and :57.1 to the half mile, Take All Comers finally saw a challenge from the outside in the backstretch by Ken Stand (Yannick Gingras) with Tachyon (Austin Siegelman) getting the second-over trip. By the three-quarters in 1:25.3, Take All Comers only held a half length lead over Keg Stand.
Once they started down the stretch, Take All Comers proved to be the strongest of all, pulling away to a two and three-quarter length victory in 1:54.3. Keg Stand was second with Tachyon third.
TAKE ALL COMERS REPLAY
It was the first start of the 2024 season for Take All Comers. The six-year-old gelding is trained by Jim Campbell for owner-breeder Runthetable Stables. He paid $4.70 to win.
Following right up in the 4th race was the $35,000 Fillies & Mares Invitational Handicap Trot where the totally dominant Tipsy Moni (International Moni) with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, led from start to finish.
Starting from post five, Tipsy Moni had to work her way to the lead over Lady Jeter (Brent Holland) by the opening quarter mile in :27.4. Tipsy Moni got a breather to the half mile in :58 before Pariso (Jason Bartlett) came first-over in the backstretch with P L Notsonice (Jordan Stratton) second-over.
Tipsy Moni held the field at bay past the three-quarters in 1:26.1 and no one could gain any ground on her down the stretch as she won by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:55. Pariso was second with P L Notsonice third.
TIPSY MONI REPLAY
It was the seventh win on the season for Tipsy Moni. The four-year-old mare is trained by Per Engblom for co-owners Ben Mondello, FAC Racing and Yannick Gingras. She paid just $2.20 to win as the overwhelming race favorite.
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink