Favorites dominate Yonkers Invites

Favorites dominated on the lead in both of the $35,000 trot Invitations in harness racing action from Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (March 14^th.)

Heavily favored Tipsy Moni (International Moni) kicked things off in race two, handling four rivals in the $35,000 mares Invitational Trot. She took over command passing the :27.2 opening quarter and led all the way from there to take her fourth win in five 2024 starts.

Driver Yannick Gingras made it clear he was intent on making front by staying wide into the opening turn and driving past an open pocket to take command from first leader Lady Jeter (Brent Holland). From there, Gingras controlled the pace with Tipsy Moni, backing it down to the half while facing no challenges. Tipsy Moni reached the half in an unstressed :56.4.

The only challenge in the race was issued by Perfect Vixen (Matt Kakaley), who tipped out at the three-eights pole to commence a first-over journey. Tipsy Moni took the field past the three quarters in 1:26.1 while rebuffing the first up challenger. Lady Jeter stayed third while the other two trotters in the race, No Turning Back (George Brennan) and No Mas Drama (Joe Bongiorno) gapped out well behind the leader.

Tipsy Moni trotted a :29.1 final quarter for a 1:55.2 win, 1 1/2 lengths ahead a game Perfect Vixen. It was four more lengths back to Lady Jeter. No Turning Back and No Mas Drama were well back in fourth and fifth, respectively.

TIPSY MONI REPLAY

The winner, trained by Per Engblom boosted her lifetime earnings for just over $298,000. She is owned by Yannick Gingras of New Jersey, Ben Mondello of Florida and Fac Racing Llc of New York. Tipsy Moni paid $2.40 to win and combined with Perfect Vixen for a $10.80 exacta payoff.

Race nine featured six male Open trotters and that $35,000 Invitational Trot was won in similar fashion as the mares version earlier in the card.

Coming off his first loss of the season, even money favorite Nows The Moment (Credit Winner) was undeterred, and he quickly assumed his customary position on the lead after blasting off from the widest post six at the start.

Driver Austin Seigelman guided the nine-year-old gelded Allison Macdonald pupil threw sensible early fractions of :28.3 and :57.3 while facing no challengers. Second choice Warrior One (Yannick Gingras) enjoyed the pocket ride, but he would soon come under pressure to keep up.

As the field headed down the backstretch, Tachyon (George Brennan) would challenge first up and put pressure on the leader as they tripped the third quarter in 1:26.1. Tachyon would keep trying hard but fall a length short. It was another length back to Eurobond (Jason Bartlett) who closed for third over Royalty Beer (Steve Smith).

Nows The Moment took a 1:54.4 win for owner Sonya Macdonald of Maine. In winning for the 48th time, he boosted his lifetime earnings to close to $820,000. He paid $4.20 to win and combined with Tachyon for a $28.30 exacta.

NOWS THE MOMENT REPLAY

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink