Raukapuka Ruler N recaptures Open throne

Raukapuka Ruler N took back his top class harness racing crown at Yonkers Raceway on Monday with a wire-to-wire performance in the $45,000 Open Handicap after three straight defeats.

Regular reinsman Jordan Stratton demanded full speed from Raukapuka Ruler N going into the first turn, and the gelding crossed over to the top spot before hitting the quarter mile marker in :27.1. The eight-year-old enjoyed an opposition-free trip through :56 and 1:23 middle splits, and he needed no urging from Stratton to seal the victory and shatter his lifetime mark with a clocking of 1:50.4.

Pocket-sitter Alluneedisfaith (Jason Bartlett) gained marginally on the leader in the stretch, but the gelding could only manage second. Uptown Funk (Joe Bongiorno) finished third.

RAUKAPUKA RULER N REPLAY

Raukapuka Ruler N paid $7.70 in the victory, his 19th lifetime. The Peter Tritton-trained son of Bettors Delight that surpassed $400,000 in earnings with the win. Tritton 2 Inc. of Pine Bush owns the horse. Raukapuka Ruler N, an Australian import, was two-for-four in Yonkers Open events in May but went cold after a two-week layoff.

Jordan Stratton won two other races during the evening.

Yonkers Raceway returns with a 12-race program on Tuesday, Jul. 6. First post will be 7:15 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink