Racine Bell back on top

After two straight losses since returning to Yonkers Raceway, Racine Bell has retaken her Fillies and Mares Open crown with a victory in another $45,000 renewal of the class on Thursday.

Jason Bartlett flung her four-wide into the first turn in pursuit of the lead, and the So Surreal mare marched around her rivals and settled onto the lead at the end of a :27 first quarter. Bartlett laid the winning foundation with a :56.2 half, and Racine Bell looked to end the contest at three-quarters as she opened up three lengths on her rivals.

Siesta Beach (Austin Siegelman) produced a belated rally, but Racine Bell had the victory in hand in the stretch and crossed the finish line a length and a quarter clear in 1:52.1. Siesta Beach pressed on for second after travelling first-over for nearly half of the mile. She’s Pukka N (Jordan Stratton) earned a show cheque.

RACINE BELL REPLAY

Racine Bell, a four-year-old David Dewhurst trainee, is now 19-for-40 lifetime. She won four straight Fillies and Mares Opens at Yonkers in April before moving to the Meadowlands during May and June, where she equaled a 1:48.1 world record. Owners Chris and Dale Lawton purchased the filly for $9,000 from the BHS Pre-Jug Mixed sale; she has earned $455,926 to date.

Trainer Gilberto Garcia-Herrera sent out five of the day’s 12 winners. The Columbus (NJ)-based conditioner won with E R Hilary (1:55.1), Tall Poppy N (1:54), Topville Angelina (1:54.2), Bronze Over N (1:54.4), and Jive Dancing A (1:53.1). He is 126-for-613 on the season so far, a 21 per cent win rate.

Yonkers Raceway’s final card of the week on Friday, Jul. 30 boasts a $45,000 Open Trot. Twelve races will go postward, the first of which is set to start at 7:15 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink