Trotters battle in $39,000 co-features

The trotters were in the harness racing spotlight at Yonkers Raceway Thursday (Aug. 29) with a pair of $39,000 co-feature Invitationals, one for the older horses and one for the fillies and mares.

The 8^th race Invitational Trot saw 4-1 Black Magic (Full Count) and driver Scott Zeron come first-over against Stormy Kromer (Jason Bartlett) and grind out an impressive victory.

Stormy Kromer left from post two and went right out to the lead with Infinity Stone (Daniel Dube) getting the two-hole trip to the quarter in :27.4. They raced single file to the half mile in :57.

Going down the backstretch, Zeron came first-up with Black Magic from fifth place and gave second-over cover to the race favorite Pappardella (Joe Bongiorno) to the three quarters in 1:25.4.

At the top of the stretch, Black Magic was still in third place, two lengths behind Stormy Kromer but not for long as they kicked in a :28.1 last quarter mile to come on at the wire and win by one length in 1:54.3 over Stormy Kromer with Pappardelle third.

BLACK MAGIC REPLAY

It was the fifth win in ten starts on the season for Black Magic. The four-year-old stallion is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone and Joseph Lozito, Jr., paying $10.60 to win.

In the 2^nd race Fillies and Mares Invitational it was Queen Of All (Swan For All) pulling off a 12-1 upset victory.

Leaving from the rail for driver Austin Siegelman, Queen Of All stung race favorite Warrawee Xenia (Jason Bartlett) to a :27.1 opening quarter before giving way.

Warrawee Xenia cut the mile to the half in :56.2 with Tipsy Moni (Jordan Stratton), parked from the start, coming first-over and Cantkeepmiasecret (Daniel Dube) second-over.

Pressured to the three quarters in 1:25.3, Warrawee Xenia held off Tipsy Moni around the final but in the stretch, she was unable to hold off the pocket-sitting Queen Of All, who pulled away for a two length triumph in 1:54.4. P L Notsonice (Scott Zeron) was second with Cristal Trio It (Tyler Buter) third.

QUEEN OF ALL REPLAY

Trained by Lance Hudson for owner William Hartt, it was the fourth win this year for Queen Of All, a six-year-old mare who returned $27.20 to win.

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

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink