Certifiable pulls away after perfect trip

With a perfect trip from harness racing driver Jason Bartlett, Certifiable (Rockin Image) blew away the field in capturing the $21,000 feature pace Wednesday (Feb. 22) at Yonkers Raceway.

The 2^nd race claiming handicap ($50,000 to $75,000) began with Certifiable on the early lead for Bartlett and then coming on the outside and taking the lead was the race favorite, Great Somewhere and driver Matt Kakaley. They went by the opening quarter mile over the good track in :26.2.

Great Somewhere led the field to the half mile in :55.4. Coalition Hanover (Frederick Bourgault) started up first-over from fifth with State Senator (George Brennan) grabbing the second over flow.

By the three-quarters in 1:24.4, Coalition Hanover was third on the outside but could not gain any ground on the final turn. They did box in Certifiable and Bartlett had a handful until right before the top of the stretch when Coalition Hanover began to fade and Bartlett let Certifiable have his head.

Then it was Certifiable and Bartlett pulling the pocket seat and coming after Great Somewhere, collaring them and pulling away to win by three and one-half lengths in 1:53.2. Great Somewhere was second with 26-1 Silent Splendor (Dan Dube) third.

CERTIFIABLE REPLAY

It was the second win in six starts this year for the five-year-old gelding. Certifiable is trained by Per Engblom for the FAC Racing, LLC of NY and paid $6.90 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink