Imprincessgemma A dethrones Racine Bell

Imprincessgemma A completed her climb up the harness racing class ladder with a victory in the $42,000 Yonkers Raceway Open on Thursday over top-level stalwart Racine Bell.

Austin Siegelman instructed Imprincessgemma A forward into the pocket position behind Racine Bell (Jason Bartlett), who rocketed to the lead from post eight. The latter dashed away to a four-length cushion after setting a quarter mile time of :27 and a half of :55.2. Imprincessgemma A bridged the gap and returned to the leader’s helmet as the field of eight approached three-quarters in 1:22.3.

Siegelman slid his charge off the cones as they turned into the stretch and ripped through the deficit. Racine Bell battled on, but Imprincessgemma A roared past in the final 1/16th of the mile for her first Open win since Feb. 2020 and a new lifetime mark of 1:51.1. Racine Bell, who won three straight at Yonkers in April, finished second. Feelin Red Hot (George Brennan) re-fired after a failed first over push and claimed the show placing.

IMPRINCESSGEMMA A REPLAY

Imprincessgemma A’s victory was her third in a row and second consecutive rise in class. She is now two-for-two in the Antonio Putorti barn, which she moved to on Jun. 24. The seven-year-old Village Jolt mare has won 24 of 69 career starts and has amassed $344,675 in earnings. Wish Me Luck Stables of Gap and Rahda Adventures LLC of Applecreek own the horse in partnership.

The winner paid $20.40.

Bartlett took five of the evening’s 12 dashes, including the fourth race with 70-1 shot Titans Hope, who won by open lengths in 1:57.1. Siegelman was the second most successful pilot with three trips to the winner’s circle. Jordan Stratton still holds a significant lead over all drivers in the standings with 151 wins on the season.

Yonkers Raceway returns on Friday, Jul. 2 with a stakes-filled card that includes the $150,000 New York New York Mile Final, the $150,000 Park MGM Pace Final, the $500,000 Yonkers Trot Final, and the $500,000 Messenger Stakes Final. Action will begin on that day at 7:15 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink