Mares featured in Yonkers Invitational Trots

Open trotters take centre stage in Yonkers Raceway harness racing action of Thursday night (April 4th.)

There are two $35,000 Invites, one restricted to mares (race 8) and one that is open to both sexes (race 2). The 5 to 2 favorite in the open Invite, however, is the lone mare in the quintet.

Tipsy Moni (International Moni) takes on the boys for a third straight time at this level. On March 21st, the four-year-old was a winner in 1:55.2 for driver and part-owner Yannick Gingras. On that night, she blasted off the gate to secure the pocket, then popped out turning for home and took a 1 1/2-length victory.

Tipsy Moni came back a week later with Jason Bartlett in the bike starting from the widest post in a field of six. She trailed to the half, moved out second-over at the three quarters, then closed to be fourth, beaten only a length. Gingras returns to the bike for the Per Engblom trainee for this race and Tipsy Moni was again assigned the widest post.

If she is going to get back on the winning track Tipsy Moni is again going to have to put away nine-year-old gelding Nows The Moment (Credit Winner) who has held a clear lead at the three quarter pole in all of his last six starts which were raced in this top class. The Allison Macdonald trainee has won four of six starts in 2024. He is the 5 to 2 co-second choice in the morning line.

Perhaps the “now” horse in the division is I Get It (Dontyouforgetit) who comes in off a solid first up win last week, beating Tipsy Moni. Matt Kakaley steers the eight-year-old gelding for trainer Scott Di Domenico and the 4 to 1 morning line choice starts from post three.

Here is the field for the $35,000 Invitational Trot which is scheduled to go at 7:20 as race 2 on the 9-race card.

1. P L Oscar – Brent Holland – 5 to 1

2. Pappardelle – Joe Bongiorno – 5 to 2

3. I Get It – Matt Kakaley – 4 to 1

4. Nows The Moment – Austin Siegelman – 5 to 2

5. Tipsy Moni – Yannick Gingras – 2 to 1

The mares division of the Invitational trot is headlined by 5 to 2 morning line favorite Queen Of All (Swan For All) who was an easy winner racing in this class over a sloppy track last week. It was the second win in nine starts this year for the six-year-old Lance Hudson trainee. Both victories were taken in the Mares Invitational. Regular driver Austin Siegelman will be at the controls.

No Mas Drama (Muscles Yankee), the 3 to 1 morning line second choice. Is likely to improve in this spot after finishing a non-threatening sixth last week. The seven-year-old Nicole Dicostanzo pupil does her best work on the front end and she will likely be firing early this week starting from a much better post. Joe Bongiorno steers the mare that was an 8 3/4-length winner at this level three starts back when she led every step.

Pocono invader P L Notsonice (Kadabra) could be one to watch here. The $455,000 earner comes in off a sharp 1:53.4 score in a conditioned trot and she attracts the driving services of Scott Zeron. The seven-year-old Steven Brabrook trainee is quoted at 6 to 1 in the morning line.

Here is the field for the Mares Invitational Trot, slated to go at 9:20 as race 8 on the card.

1. Ima Diamond Babe – Braxten Boyd – 9 to 2

2. The Ballykeel Deal – Matt Kakaley – 8 to 1

3. No Mas Drama – Joe Bongiorno 3 to 1

4. Queen Of All – Austin Siegelman – 5 to 2

5. No Turning Back – Jordan Stratton – 12 to 1

6. Call Me Dani – Yannick Gingras – 8 to 1

7. P L Notsonice – 6 to 1

8. Lady Jeter – Brent Holland – 15 to 1

by Garnet Barnsdale for Harnesslink