Top trotter inches closer to millionaire status

Favored Hillexotic (Muscle Hill) made a triumphant return, winning his 2024 debut at Yonkers Raceway in the $35,000 Invitational Trot Thursday night (April 18th), and he inched closer to becoming a harness racing millionaire.

Gingras had the gelded seven-year-old Ron Burke trainee on his toes, and he left quickly and drove on between horses chasing first leader I Get It (Matt Kakaley) through the first turn with Nows The Moment also looking like he wanted to drive to the front from the widest post.

Gingras made it clear that he was intent on making front and that forced Nows The Moment to take back, and he landed last of the five trotters as Hillexotic made front heading to the :28.0 opening quarter.

Hillexotic cruised through a :57.2 half with all four of his rivals content to sit at that point. Credit Con (Joe Bongiorno) was the first to move and Texsong Soprano (Scott Zeron) followed his cover. Credit Con got as close as a neck behind Hillexotic on the final turn, after the leader passed the three-quarters in 1:26.2.

That was as close as it would get though. Hillexotic responded to Gingras’ stretch urging and dug in to hold Credit Con safe by a length in 1:55.4. Texsong Soprano closed for third, a neck ahead of I Get It. Nows The Moment took the final check.

HILLEXOTIC REPLAY

In winning his season’s debut, Hillexotic inched less than $5,000 shy of $1 million in earnings. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable Llc, Weaver Bruscemi Llc and Phillip Collura, all of Pennsylvania. He paid $3.10 to win.

The $35,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Trot produced an upset as perfect Scott Zeron piloting facilitated a four-length win for P L Notsonice (Kadabra)

Zeron used rail control leaving the gate to push to the front, then he relinquished the lead to No Mas Drama (Joe Bongiorno). That left Hot Flash Kimmy hung out without a home and forced to press on.

No Mas Drama cut honest early fractions of :27.3 and :56.3 with Hot Flash Kimmy pressing first-over and P L Notsonice enjoying the view from the coveted pocket.

No Mas Drama held a clear lead as the three-quarters was passed in 1:26.1, but a winded Hot Flash Kimmy had retreated, and Zeron moved his mare outside as soon as he had clearance. P L Notsonice sling shotted past the tired leader and opened up from there, hitting the wire four lengths to the good. Ima Diamond Babe (Braxten Boyd) circled up for second at 34 to 1 and Perfect Vixen (Matt Kakaley) closed for third ahead of No Mas Drama.

P L NOTSONICE

P L Notsonice took her second win of the year in her fourth start, and she boosted her lifetime earnings to just over $475,000. The Steven Brabrook pupil is owned by Elite Harness Racing Llc of Pennsylvania.

She paid $13.00 to win as the fourth choice and combined with Ima Diamond Babe for a $170 exacta payoff.

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

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink