48-1 longshot upsets by a nose

It took the photo finish camera to declare 48-1 longshot winner Chillin Bythe Pool (American Ideal) the upset winner in the $19,000 first-race pace Friday (Dec. 1) at Yonkers Raceway.

Racing over a sloppy, rain-soaked track with a two-second allowance from the judges, the first race on the card for fillies and mare began with race favorite Century Jamila (Jordan Stratton) leaving and then going off-stride on the first turn.

Millwood Ronnie N (Matt Kakaley) also left and shot to the early lead with Stay Happy (Joe Bongiorno) sitting the two-hole trip to the first quarter in :28. There was no movement as the field raced to the half mile in :58.3.

Coming into the backstretch, Silent Crossing (Mark MacDonald) moved first-over, giving outside cover to Chillin Bythe Pool and driver Brent Holland. By the three-quarters in 1:27.1, Millwood Bonnie N was still in control of the pace with Silent Crossing third on the outside and Chillin By The Pool continuing to enjoy the outside cover. Around the final turn and at the top of the stretch, Silent Crossing moved into second place coming after Millwood Bonnie N.

It was then that Chillin Bythe Pool tipped to the outside to get into contention, gaining ground with every stride as Millwood Bonnie N began to fade. Coming to the wire, Chillin Bythepool had a slim lead and barely held off Stay Happy in the final strides to win by a nose in 1:57. Idealinfun (Jason Bartlett) was third.

CHILLIN BYTHE POOL REPLAY

It was the sixth win on the year for Chillin Bythe Pool. The four-year-old mare is trained by Tom Fanning for Fanning Racing, LLC and paid $98.00 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink