Twin $39,000 Opens held at Yonkers

Yonkers Raceway held a pair of twin $39,000 Open Paces for 3-5-year-olds Monday evening (Aug. 26) at the hilltop harness racing half mile oval.

The 7^th race was the first division and saw Its A Me Mario (American Ideal) and driver Jason Bartlett swing three-wide in the backstretch en route to a neck triumph.

Adam Twelve (Austin Siegelman) cut the mile and parked out Stay Grounded (Jonathan Ahle) from the start. Those two battled for control of the lead to the quarter in :26.3, the half mile in :54 and the three quarters in 1:21.4.

Bartlett then came three-wide with 8-1 Its A Me Mario and was able to clear to the lead before the top of the stretch, then held off a late closing Western Era (Tyler Buter) to win by a neck in 1:51. Joemikiyoursofine (Joe Bongiorno) was third.

ITS A ME MARIO REPLAY

It was the ninth win this year for Its A Me Mario. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Shane Tritton for owner Joshua Graber and paid $19.80 to win.

The 9^th race second division saw race favorite Racing Rampage (Racing Hill) get a perfect two-hole trip behind Mirage Hanover and come on at the wire to also win by a neck.

Mirage Hanover (Jordan Stratton), the lone three-year-old in the field, left from post four as did Racing Rampage and driver Matt Kakaley from post six.

Mirage Hanover then cut fractions of :27.2, :56 and 1:23.4 with Racing Rampage enjoying the two-hole trip. Then in the stretch, Kakaley was able to urge Racing Rampage on late to win in 1:51.1 over Mirage Hanover. Venturesome Arden N (Brent Holland) was third.

RACING RAMPAGE REPLAY

It was the second straight win and seventh of the year for Racing Rampage. A four-year-old gelding trained by Travis Alexander, Racing Rampage is owned by Darren Dowler and Larry Bettler and paid $5.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink