Borgata champ wins at Yonkers

Yonkers Raceway hosted two $36,000 twin co-feature Open Paces Monday (June 12) and the harness racing favorites in both divisions were the winners.

In the 9th race co-feature, the rainy weather conditions worsened, and the track was changed to sloppy with a two-second allowance by the Judges.

It was an early battle for control of the lead between Hellabalou (Sweet Lou) and driver Yannick Gingras on the inside and then Jack’s Legend N (Matt Kakaley) on the outside with Hellabalou taking control past the opening quarter mile in :27.1.

Jack’s Legend N led the field past the half mile marker in :56.3 when Air Force Hanover (Daniel Dube) came first-over and pressed the leaders to the three-quarters in 1:25.

By the top of the stretch, Jack’s Legend N held a two-length lead on the field and Air Force Hanover could not longer keep up on the outside and that left only Hellabalou in the pocket seat. Gringras came after Jack’s Legend N with Hellabalou and he responded by collaring the pacesetter before the finish to win by three-quarter of a length in 1:53.2. Jack’s Legend N held for second with Rocknroll Runa A (Jordan Stratton) third.

HELLABALOU REPLAY

It was the fifth win this year for Hellabalou, who is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Eric Good, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Lawrence Karr. He paid $3.20 to win.

With the track listed good for the 7^th race first division, Idealsomemagic A (American Ideal) was able to wire the field in a romp by four open lengths.

Driver George Brennan sent Idealsomemagic A right to the lead from post five and they were able to cut fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:24 with no real challengers. By the top of the stretch Idealsomemagic A opened up to a five length lead and by the finish wire won by four lengths in 1:51.3. Priceless Beach (Matt Kakaley) was second with Semi Tough (Joe Bongiorno) third.

It was the second straight win and tenth victory of the season for Idealsomemagic A. The nine-year-old gelding is trained by Cory Stratton for the VIP Internet Stable LLC and Statton Stable Inc., paying $2.30 to win.

IDEALSOMEMAGIC A REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink