Mother Nature causes premature end to Monday’s card

Due to continuing heavy snowfall and deteriorating track conditions, Yonkers Raceway was forced to cancel races nine, ten, and 11 on Monday night’s (February 27) harness racing program.

The early end to the card impacted the night’s Pick 5 sequence with one leg remaining. Per New York State wagering rules, the ninth race became an “all” in the Pick 5 and was paid out on the new money wagered into the pool tonight ($60,994.71). The Pick 5 carryover coming into the card ($6,576.53) was not included in that total and will be held to the next live racing program, which is scheduled for Tuesday night (February 28). The guaranteed pool of $20,000 will also take place.

The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5, courtesy of TrackMaster, will be available here. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 percent.

Before the cancellation, there were a pair of $36,000 Open Handicap Paces that took place as horses ready for next month’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series.

Priceless Beach (Sunshine Beach), driven by Matt Kakaley and the longest shot on the board at odds of 30-1, rallied from last to first and off a third-over trip to take the initial Open Handicap Pace by a nose in 1:51.4, narrowly defeating The Ideal Dancer A (Jason Bartlett), who also finished well from second-over. Bee Two Bee (George Brennan), who did the uncovered work from first-up, was just another head behind in third.

Jared Bako trains Priceless Beach, a 7-year-old stallion, for owner 1362313 Ontario LTD. Priceless Beach won for the 19th time, pushed his earnings to $340,838, and paid $62.50 to win. He led a $186.50 exacta and a $1,872 trifecta.

PRICELESS BEACH REPLAY

Leonidas A  (Mach Three), the runner-up in last year’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series final, took the lead out of the pocket past the 1:23.4 three-quarters in the other Open Handicap Pace and drew off to a 2 3/4 length victory for driver Austin Siegelman in 1:51.4. Idealsomemagic A (Brennan) was the runner-up, followed by Backstreet Shadow (Kakaley).

Matthew Medeiros trains Leonidas A, an 8-year-old gelding, for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A, who returned $4.10 to win as the even-money favorite, made his 25th appearance in the winner’s circle and has now banked $579,911. The exacta kicked back $19.20, and the trifecta was worth $57.

LEONIDAS A REPLAY

Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here.

From Yonkers Raceway