Yonkers features to Veterans Binions, Grain of Truth

Veterans Binions (Greg Grsmore) and Grain of Truth (Jeff Gregory) shared Yonkers Raceway glory Friday night, winning the $30,000 co-featured Open Handicaps. Binions went to the house in the Filly and Mare Open 'Cap Pace, leading at every pylon en route to a 1:54 effort.
       
Leaving from post position No. 4, Binions found the big chair in a hurry, with Miss Galvinator A (Stephane Bouchard) wide into an early pocket. Binions led through a :28.2 opening quarter-mile, :58 intermission and 1:26.2 three-quarters. Whambam N (Steve Smith) challenged first-over,  with Mind Boggling (Jim Pantaleano) behind that one.

Binions, a length-and-a-quarter to the good turning for home, held sway by a length. Miss Galvinator A chased home the victress, with Mind Boggling, Whambam N and 17-10 favorite J K Pure Pearl (Jason Bartlett) completing the cashers.

For Binions, a 5-year-old statebred daughter of Bettor's Delight--now over the $300,000 career cash plateau--she returned $7.80 (third choice) for her fourth win in 14 seasonal starts. She led a $23.20 exacta and $112 triple. Mickey Burke trained for Newman Racing Stable.

Grain of Truth methodically moved up and over No More Gold N (Keith Kash Jr.) to win the weekly featured trot for a second consecutive victory and third win in the last four tries. He had begun his season 0-for-14.

No More Gold N, leaving from post No. 2 (in one notch after an inside defection), led through fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.4, taking s length advantage into the lane. Grain of Truth, edging from third near the three-quarters, challenged in earnest early stretch, then disposed of the leader.

Winnin' Image (Grismore) couldn't match strides with the leading duo from the pocket while Grain of Truth was finishing his assignment.  He prevaled by a length in 1:57, a season's purse-start best. Victor's Vicky (Jordan Stratton) and tepid 5-2 choice The Federalist (Bouchard) grabbed the minor moolah.

For Grain of Truth, a 7-year-old Self Possessed gelding co-owned by Charles and Giogran Iannazzo and trained by trotmeister Ray Schnittker (who was apparently occupied across the river), it was his third in in 18 '08 tries. He paid $8.40 (third choice), with the exacta returning $49.60 and the triple worth $217.

New York Sire Stakes return here Monday night, with the $233,445 Mike Cipriani Trot for 3-year-old fillies to be constested in six  division. Tuesday night offers the $244,035 Art Watson Pace, also for soph fillies. (Yonkers)

« Back