The old boss still new boss in Yonkers Invite

Covered Bridge (American Ideal) is still harness racing king of the Yonkers Raceway Open pacing class.

On Monday night (March 4th) the eight-year-old Jeff Gillis trainee took no prisoners, leading all the way for a neck score in 1:52.0 in the $35,000 Invitational Pace, winning for the 19th time at the hilltop oval.

After dropping back to last from the widest post in his previous start, Covered Bridge was sent hardest this time, and regular teamster Jordan Stratton guided him to the front before the first turn. From there, Stratton carved out a masterful front-end journey and Covered Bridge did the rest.

Leading through an unstressed opening half of :56.4, Covered Bridge would face a third quarter challenge from Nandolo N (Jason Bartlett), but that rival got no closer than a length behind the leader.

When the third quarter was tripped in 1:24.3, it became obvious that the only real threat to the leader was Idealsomemagic S (George Brennan) who was lurking in the pocket but needed racing room.

Nandolo N hung around long enough in the stretch to keep the pocket sitter bottled up and Stratton urged Covered Bridge in midstretch and he responded. Idealsomemagic A finally found room with a few strides left but he ran out of racetrack and his rally fell a neck short.

Nandolo N gamely hung on for third, beaten only a length while pacing a :27.1 kicker, while Sonny Weaver (Matt Kakaley) took fourth. Returnee Hellabalou (Yannick Gingras), who likely needed a start, took the final check but was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths in finishing fifth.

COVERED BRIDGE REPLAY

Covered Bridge took his 47th win in his 141st start and he boosted his earnings to $1.2 million for owner Mark Ford of New York. He returned $4.40 to win as the 6 to 5 favorite and he combined with Idealsomemagic A for a popular $6.40 Exacta.

In other action, Reigning Deo (Rock N Roll Heaven) sat behind an early battle then rallied late to score in the $36,000 Stake Your Claim series final, winning by one length in 1:52.1. Aussie Hanover (Austin Seigelman) finished second ahead of early leader Movin On Up (Brent Holland).

Reigning Deo took his third win of the year in his eighth start, and he boosted his lifetime earnings to more than $547,000 for owners Alexander Racing Stable Llc of Michigan, Brian Gordon of New Jersey and Stephen Gordon of New York. He paid $10.80 to win.

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

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink