Stonebridge Diablo scores Yonkers' featured trot

The trotter and the driver are heating up with the weather. Stonebridge Diablo repeated as local Open Handicap Trot champ, winning Yonkers Raceway's Friday night co-feature...with a life mark in career start No. 106, no less. "Diablo" also went over the $600,000 career cash plateau.

 

With Stephane Bouchard--he of the five-win night--driving for trainer Casie Coleman, Stonebridge Diablo was put in play early from post position No. 5. He then passed the baton to Green Day (Cat Manzi) before a spiffy :27.4 opening quarter-mile.

 

Green Day, the 2007 Yonkers Trot champ (see shameless reminder about the '09 edition below), then found a :57.2 intermission before One Man Show S (Brent Holland) moved from fourth.

 

Green Day battled with that one in and out of the 1:26.4 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter-lead into the lane.

 

However, neither the pursuer nor the pocket-sitter had designs on leaving. "Diablo" ducked inside, taking the short way home in 1:56.1, one-fifth faster than his former fastest foray, done as a 3-year-old.

 

Stonebridge Diablo defeated One Man Show S by a length in that career-best effort, with Green Day salvaging the bottom of the ticket. Spur-Ann-E (Greg Grismore) and Armbro Barrister (Steve Smith) completed the cashers, while 17-10 favorite Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory) was a non-factor sixth.

 

For Stonebridge Diablo, a 7-year-old Angus Hall gelding co-owned by California's de facto governor, Alan Kirscehenbaum, along with two Waples (Ron Jr. and Randy) and one Dr. (Sheila) Atmore, he paid $10.20 (second choice) for his seventh win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $139.50, with the triple returning $922

 

Friday night's co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace saw inside assignee Eagle Hilarious (Gregory) mind her business in a three-hole, get the passing lane and author a 14-1 upset. Eagle Hilarious sat behind both Twin B Tiara (Jim Pantaleano) and Saymynamesaymyname (Grismore) as the former stepped around the latter and led through intervals of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.4.

 

After Leanback Coco (Manzi) stalled first-over, Saymynamesaymyname angled out. to go after Twin B Tiara. That left the short way to Eagle Hilarious, who zipped through to defeat Twin B Tiara by three-quarters-of-a-length. The 1:54.2 effort knocked four ticks off the previous personal best she had in her most recent try two weeks ago.

 

Saymynamesaymyname, K G Delight and 3-2 choice Pancleefandarpels (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the loose change.

 

For Eagle Hilarious, a 5-year-old Dragon Again lass owned and trained by Timmy Yannone, she paid $31.40 (seventh choice among the octet) for her sixth win in 21 '09 tries. The exacta paid $159.50. with the triple returning $669. (Yonkers)