Nahcotta Jude repeats at YR

Nahcotta Jude liked his road to success so much in last week's Open Handicap Trot at Yonkers Raceway, he retraced the route in Sunday night's $21,000 feature.

With Jim Marohn again driving for trainer Joe Vance, the 5-year-old Armbro Scorpion gelding was again content to sit chilly early. Leaving from post position five, he spectated at the outset as Praktickle Yankee (Dan Dube) worked his way around longshot Sundance Kid G (Jim Meittinis) was command just after a :29.3 opening quarter-mile. Lemon Pepper (Yannick Gingras) tucked in third, while Nahcotta Jude was serenely sitting sixth.

As the gang approached the half in a flat 60 seconds, both Sundance Kid G and Lemon Pepper made like they were going to vacate the pylons, but neither did. That left Double Strength (Mark Beckwith) first-over from fourth, with Nahcotta Jude poised to piggy-back. Praktickle Yankee tried to hide going toward the 1:30 three-quarters, but "Jude" was sent to seek.

Marohn vaulted his charge off tiring cover, then went up and over the leader wih the greatest of ease. Nahcotta Jude owned the lead turning for home, then ran up the score. He stepped under the wire five lengths to the good in 1:59, with Praktickle Yankeee saving second and Caesar (Stephane Bouchard) closing from seventh to grab third.

Lemon Pepper--who was shuffled to last after sitting in--and B T's Gladiator (Larry Stalbaum)--who misbehaved briefly behind the gate--both rallied for small change.

Nahcotta Jude, owned by ZMW Racing, returned $6.30 as the wagering favorite, leading a $37.60 exacta and $320 triple. It was his sixth win in 27 seasonal starts and pushed his '06 stash to just under $90,000.

"He's just the perfect trotter," Marohn said. "He feels right every time I sit behind him and Joe (Vance) has done a tremendous job with him. He was racing well up at Monticello, but I think he gets over this surface even better." (Yonkers)

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