Mcmarkle Sparkle shines in $39,000 Open

With a backstretch brush to the lead, Mcmarkle Sparkle (McArdle) and driver Greg Merton pulled away from the field to win the $39,000 harness racing feature at Yonkers Raceway Thursday, July 7.

The 8^th race feature for Fillies and Mare pacers saw race favorite Imprincessgemma A (Jason Bartlett) shoot right to the early lead with Mcmarkle Sparkle right on their backs to the opening quarter in :27. Imprincessgemma A then led the single file field past the half mile marker in :55.4.

That was when Merton pulled the pocket and came first-over with Mcmarkle Sparkle and they were a head up on the lead on the outside passing the three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Once cleared to the lead on the final turn, Mcmarkle Sparkle was up by two lengths at the top of the stretch and then extended it to a five and one-half length romp in 1:51.2. Imprincessgemma A was second with Morning Has Broken (Jim Marohn, Jr.) third.

MCMARKLE SPARKLE REPLAY

It was the fifth win this season for Mcmarkle Sparkle. The five-year-old mare is trained by Scott Di Domenico for breeder-owner Laura Baker of Ohio. She paid $9.30 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink