$36,000 Yonkers Open comes down to the line

It took the photo finish camera at Yonkers Raceway Monday (July 31) evening to declare the winner of the $36,000 Open Pace harness racing feature.

The 8^th race main event saw the race favorite, Hellabalou (Joe Bongiorno) leave quickly from post four to take command of the field with Hickfromfrenchlick (Jim Marohn, Jr.) getting the two-hole trip as they raced by the opening quarter mile in :27.1.

They raced single file to the half mile in :56.1 and then Rocknroll Runa A (Rock N Roll Heaven) and driver George Brennan came first-over and worked their way up to second on the outside past the three-quarter pole in 1:23.1. At the top of the stretch the two horses were noses apart.

Hellabalou was not giving up, but neither was Rocknroll Runa A as those two raced head and head down the stretch, nose to nose right to the wire. When the photo finish was viewed by the judges, it was Rocknroll Runa A winning by a nose over Hellabalou with Hickfromfrenchlick third.

ROCKNROLL RUNA A REPLAY

It was the fifth win this season for Rocknroll Runa A, who is trained and owned by Larry Stalbaum and the six-year-old gelding paid $20.00 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink