Borgata finalists victorious in Yonkers Opens

Yonkers Raceway was the scene for twin $36,000 Open-Handicap Pace harness racing features Monday (May 15) that saw Covered Bridge (American Ideal) and None Bettor A (Bettor’s Delight) both victorious.

The 8^th race first Open saw Hellabalou (Yannick Gingras) take the lead away from Speed Man N (Joe Bongiorno) by the first quarter in :27. Then Moonshine Kisses (George Brennan) came first-over with race favorite Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) following second-over, then even trying a three-wide move at the half mile in :56.2.

Leonidas A was backed off to second-over again as Hellabalou continued to lead the pack. Meanwhile, Covered Bridge was now third-over for driver Jordan Stratton as they reached the three-quarters in 1:23.3.

Around the final turn and Moonshine Kisses was still a game first-over in second place, dogging Hellabalou on the lead with Stratton fanning wide with a fast-moving Covered Bridge, now in fourth place.

Kicking in a :27.3 last quarter, Covered Bridge went on to win going away by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:52. Moonshine Kisses was second and placed fourth. The Regulator (Jason Bartlett) was third placed second with Leonidas A fourth placed third.

COVERED BRIDGE REPLAY

It was the second straight win and seventh victory of the season for Covered Bridge. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Jeff Gillis for owner Mark Ford. He paid $7.00 to win.

The 9^th race second Open division saw None Bettor A and driver George Brennan wire the field with ease. Leaving from post four, Brennan sent None Bettor A right to the front with Moonlight Shadow (Jason Bartlett) grabbing the two-hole seat to the first quarter in :27.2.

They raced single file to the half mile in :56.1. Priceless Beach (Matt Kakaley) then started up first-over in the backstretch but failed to gain any ground as None Bettor A sped past the three-quarters in 1:23.2 and then opened up on the field. By the top of the stretch the ten-year-old gelding had a five-length lead on the field.

Coming to the wire, None Bettor A eased up for a two length triumph, also in 1:52. American Dealer N (Joe Bongiorno) closed to be second with Priceless Beach third.

NONE BETTOR A REPLAY

It was the second straight win for None Bettor N, who is trained by Travis Alexander for Joe P Racing LLC and Oldford Racing LLC, paying $8.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink