Prince crowned at Yonkers

He’s closing in a quarter-million dollars lifetime, and if you saw Western Prince tend to his business in Saturday night’s $21,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway, you’d know why. With owner-trainer Ted Wing performing the honors, the 5-year-old son of Western Hanover did it the hard way.

Leaving from post position five among the octet, Western Prince was unhurried early as Shadow’s Best Buddy (Larry Stalbaum)—eschewing a four hole—drove on to command from post seven.

The early fractions were tepid enough, a 28-second opening quarter-mile and :57 second intermission. All the while, Whispers Spy (Mark Beckwith), the timid 2-1 favorite, was perched in the pocket, while Great Plains (Jeff Gregory) was sitting third.

Passing the half, Western Prince tried his luck uncovered, with Pick A Trail (Mike Sorentino Jr.) tracking that move. However, Shadow’s Best Buddy continued to have things his way passing the 1:25.3 three-quarters.

The complexion of the contest was about to change as the posse paced toward paydirt. The leader was tiring, as was the second over Pick A Trail. That allowed Great Plains to slip out of the three hole and angle wide, while Whispers Spy had dead aim in the passing lane.

Despite the cavalry charge, it was a resurgent Western Prince who held sway, winning by a length in 1:55. Great Plains grabbed second over the pacesetting Shadow’s Best Buddy, with Call Me Jate (Allan Davis) and Muhammad Ali N (Stephane Bouchard) completing the cashers.

That one was placed fifth after Whispers Spy, who came up totally empty late and threw in steps and was set down from fifth to sixth.

Western Prince, sent off at an even 4-1 (fourth choice), returned $10. He led a $41.60 exacta and $93 triple. “He’s a grinder,” Wing said. “First-over is not the worst place for him to be, though I was hoping to get Allan (Davis) out of the hole in front of me, but he didn’t. (Western Prince) really took a hold me around the final turn. He just keeps trying.”

When it was mentioned to the chauffeur that the fractions did not make this a closer’s race, Wing responded with, “I’ve been breaking all the rules for years.” Western Prince has now won six of his 34 seasonal starts and just over $80,000. His lifetime loot now stands at $248,850. (Yonkers)

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