Open winners match times at Yonkers

Yonkers Raceway played host to twin $36,000 Open-Handicap harness racing pacing events Monday (May 8) evening and both races ended up going in identical times.

The first of the two co-features were the 7^th race where Covered Bridge (American Ideal) and driver Jordan Stratton left from post seven to take the quick early lead, only to give away to race favorite Priceless Beach (Yannick Gingras) after a :27 opening quarter mile.

Priceless Beach then went unchallenged to the half mile in :55.4 and the three-quarters in 1:24 and looked to be home free until the stretch when Stratton came after the leader with Covered Bridge, just getting up at the wire by a nose in 1:51.1. Shine A light (Jason Bartlett) was third.

It was the sixth win this year for Covered Bridge. The seven-year-old gelding is trained by Jeff Gillis for Mark Ford and paid $7.10 to win.

COVERED BRIDGE REPLAY

In the 8^th race co-feature, it was Speed Man (Joe Bongiorno) first on the lead from post seven, but then gave way to race favorite Moonshine Kisses (Sunshine Beach) and driver George Brennan after the first quarter mile in :26.3.

Moonshine Kisses proceeded to lead the field past the half mile in :55.3 and to the three-quarters in 1:23.2. Take A Gamble (Scott Zeron) tried a first-over move in vain in the backstretch.

Still holding the field at bay at the top of the stretch, Moonshine Kisses went on to win with ease by two lengths in 1:51.1. Speed Man held for second with The Regulator (Jason Bartlett) third.

MOONSHINE KISSES REPLAY

It was the second straight win and seven of the year for Moonshine Kisses. The seven-year-old stallion is trained by Jackie Greene for the Kellogg Racing Stable and paid $4.90 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink