Yo Tillie maintains ‘Top dog’ standing in her division

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Yo Tillie (Tactical Landing) maintained her current standing as the top horse in her harness racing division and Onajetplane (Walner) threw his hat into the ring as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex.

Yo Tillie remained unbeaten in four tries this season after displaying an awesome closing kick rather than the dazzling early speed she showed in each of her first three starts this year.

“Her last couple of starts she’s been awesome,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “I’ve been racing her pretty aggressively and that was kind of the plan for tonight, but she’s come back so smart this year and she’s learned how to settle in. It’s an advantage when you can race them like that.”

The daughter of Tactical Landing-Consolidator raced in fourth past the five-eighths in the $37,125 first dash for fillies, then moved to the outside on the far turn before unleashing a powerhouse final quarter of :26.3 to win by 3½ lengths over R Charm in 1:52.3. Jersey Slide was third.

YO TILLIE REPLAY

“I knew when I tipped and asked her that she would give me a pretty good last quarter,” said McCarthy.

Not eligible for the Hambletonian Oaks, Yo Tillie, who returned $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite, is being pointed toward the Kentucky Filly Futurity and Breeders Crown, among other stakes events this year, according to trainer Andrew Harris.

Onajetplane used a quick brush to command down the backstretch to secure the top just after the half and then had to hold off a late-charging Hey Porter to take the first division for colts and geldings – which went for a purse of $39,125 – by a head in a lifetime-best equaling 1:52.1. Warrior was third.

“He doesn’t love being in front, he starts looking around a little,” said winning driver Andy McCarthy. “He got to wondering a little but once Scottie [Zeron, driving Hey Porter] came to us, he got back to business.”

ONAJETPLANE REPLAY

In the opinion of his driver, the son of Walner-Noble Lover is a Hambletonian contender. “This horse is good enough [to compete in the Hambo]. He needs a good draw and a good trip and he’ll be right there.”

As the 4-5 public choice, Onajetplane, a Noel Daley trainee, paid $3.60 to win.

DALEY DOUBLE: Andy McCarthy and Daley doubled up in the Tompkins-Geers in the second division for fillies, which went for $37,625, when Miss Belmar (Muscle Hill-Chapter Too) scored in a lifetime-best 1:52.1 from off the pace, giving her two wins in her last three starts after starting her career 0-for-9. She paid $13.20 as the 5-1 third choice.

In the other split for colts and geldings, the Blake MacIntosh-trained Go Ahead Makemyday led at every call in the $39,625 dash, stopping the clock in a lifetime-best 1:53 with Dave Miller at the controls. The son of Walner-Uvie Hanover could be peaking at just the right time with the Hambletonian eliminations just one week away, as eight days ago, he was a sold second-place finisher to the talented Mr Mouton. Go Ahead Makemyday paid $10 as the 4-1 second choice.

A LITTLE MORE: Andy McCarthy led the driver colony with three winners on the night while Shaun Vallee and Daley topped the trainers with a pair of victories apiece. … Track announcer Ken Warkentin had a big night handicapping, treating his followers to eight winners. … All-source handle totaled $2,910,648 on the 14-race program. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

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

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands