Semi Tough closes gap, roars to victory

Usually when a harness racing horse sits a pocket-trip, it’s in second place and the horse’s nose is almost touching the back of the helmet of the driver of the horse on the lead.

Well, Semi Tough (Somebeachsomewhere) and driver Yannick Gingras sat a loose pocket-trip behind pacesetter Oakwoodnitownit Ir (Matt Kakaley) and still was able to come on to win the $36,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway Monday (Feb. 6) evening.

Oakwoodnitownit Ir and Kakaley left from the rail in the 8^th race feature with Semi Tough and Gingras grabbing the two-hole spot. They went by the opening quarter mile in :28.4 and then raced single file passed the half mile in :57.4.

Coming into the backstretch, race favorite Belmont Royale N (David Miller) started up first-over from third place but was unable to gain ground by the three-quarters in 1:24.2.

Meanwhile, Semi Tough was following Oakwoodnitownit Ir but was now gapping by nearly three lengths at the three quarters and at the top of the stretch, but Gingras was able to get the seven-year-old gelding into gear and they collared Oakwoodnitownit Jr at the wire by a half a length in 1:52.3. Belmont Royale N was third.

SEMI TOUGH REPLAY

It was the first win of the year in three starts for Semi Tough, who is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, LLC, Frank Baldachino, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi. He paid $9.60 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink