Yonkers features Opens on Friday night

May 16, 2009

Hannah Isabel and Galleon's Assassin earned Yonkers Raceway accolades, winning Friday night's $44,000 co-features. "Hannah" (Pat Lachance) was given assignment in the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace and took full advantage. She stuffed 11-10 favorite Double Dream N (Brent Holland) in behind before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. Hannah Isabel then negotiated a :56.1 intermission, before J K Pure Pearl (Stephane Bouchard)--who had left for a seat--moved from fourth.

The leader remained the leader at the 1:24.4 three-quarters, bumping to 2 1/4 lengths turning for home. Hannah Isabel found the line a safe length-and-three-quarters before Double Dream N in 1:53.4. J K Pure Pearl, Saymynamesaymyname (Jordan Stratton) and Elusive Prey (Billy Dobson) completed the cashers.

For Hannah Isabel, a 4-year-old statebred daughter of Bettor's Delight trained by Jean Drolet for co-owners Marilyn & Heiman Gross, she paid $6.10 (second choice) for her first win in seven seasonal starts. The victress led an $11.80 exacta and $84 triple.

Galleon's Assassin (Jeff Gregory) employed a different tact than Hannah Isabel, but with the same result.

Leaving from the penultimate post position in the Open Handicap Trot field of seven, "Galleon" was in no particular hurry.

American Lane (Jim Pantaleano), 3-5 from the outside starting venue, methodically worked around S J's Morgan (Lachance) before a :28.2 first frame. An extremely-tepid middle half (1:00, 1:29.1) ordinarily would have slammed the door, but not this night.

Long Story Short (Bouchard) headed first-up, with Galleon's Assassin in behind. American Lane had a short lead in and out the final turn, but was about to give way.

Long Story Short made the lead mid-stretch, but that one couldn't stave off the better trip of "Galleon," who prevailed by a neck in 1:58.2. American Lane, Spur-Ann-E (Greg Grismore) and Light Headed (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the small change.

For Galleon's Assassin, a 7-year-old Earl gelding trained by Darren Cassar for owner Barry Charles, he returned $11.60 (third choice) for his fifth win (second consecutive) in 13 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $56.50, with the triple returning $104. .

Please note that all Yonkers' racing nights (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday) offer a 7:10 PM first post.. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule. First post for Pimlico's Preakness Day card Saturday is 10:15 AM. (Yonkers)

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