Western Graduate sets Yonkers mark in victory

Western Graduate (Jim Pantaleano, four winners on the 13-race card) became Yonkers Raceway's fastest female ever Friday night, blowing away her final-race rivals in 1:51.3.

 

The track, after a mid-card rainstorm, was downgraded to "sloppy" for the final eight races.

 

Leaving from the pylons in the $31,000, 13th-race pace, Western Graduate gave nothing else a chance. She zipped through fractions of :27.1, 55.1 and 1:23.1, taking a four-length lead into the lane. She then shamelessly piled on, widening to 9 3/4 lengths at the wire. Autumn Magic (Jason Bartlett) was the bridesmaid, though few were convinced she was actually at the wedding.

 

For Western Graduate, a millionairess 6-year-old daughter of Western Hanover trained by Lou Pena (three training wins Friday) for KDM Stables, she returned $4.10 as the slightly-above-even-money favorite.

 

Yonkers' fastest mile of the season is 1:51.2, taken a Giddy Up Lucky last Saturday night.

 

The previous track record for aged pacing mares was 1:52.3, held by a six-pack. The Raceway's former fastest female was Ginger and Fred, with a 1:52 effort in May's final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series. (Yonkers)