With Yonkers Raceway dark Friday night in preparation for the New York Night of Champions, the leading overnight ladies had their weekly closeup an evening early with the $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace on Thursday, Sept. 20. In the feature, Vorst parlayed a perfect trip and a makeshift passing lane to win in 1:53.

Getting the first lead from assigned post-position five, Vorst handed the baton to Mach It A Par before a :27.3 opening quarter-mile.

After a :56.4 intermission, even-money fave Medusa, who had left for a seat fourth, was out and moving again. She hooked Mach It A Par in and out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters, the pair pacing in tandem entering the lane.

Vorst, meanwhile, closed ranks from a loose pocket and found room inside in a three-way scrum. She defeated Mach It A Par by a head and Medusa by a neck. Jewel Lehigh A and Sell A Bit N rounded out the payees.

For fifth choice Vorst, a five-year-old daughter of Four Starzzz Shark owned and trained by Gilberto Garcia-Herrera, it was her fourth win in 22 starts this season. Driven by George Brennan, she paid $27.60 to win. The exacta paid $138.50, the triple returned $241 and the superfecta paid $1,992.

Friday was quashed to allow the paddock to be used for Night of Champions detention. The $1.8 million finales—eight at $225,000 each—again comprise the richest night of racing in the state. Those events go as races 2 through 9 on Saturday, Sept. 22, with first post for the dozen-race card at the usual night standard of 6:50 p.m.

(Yonkers Raceway)