Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps — one for distaff pacers and one for any trotter with letters of reference — were won by a down-the-road Krispy Apple and a storming-home Obrigado.
The week’s fairer-sex feature was strictly a two-speed number, with odds-on Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett, $2.90) leaving around Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton). The people’s preference sent pokey early fractions (:28, :57.2) before Summertime Lea (George Brennan) tried her luck with a second move. Summertime Lea second came close in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters as Krispy Apple opened a couple of lengths entering the lane. She held sway, defeating Robin Cruiser by a length-and-a-half in 1:53.2. Coffee Addict, Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter) and Campanile (Austin Siegelman) rounded out the payees.
For Krispy Apple, a six-year-old millionaress daughter of Western Ideal trained by P.J. Fraley for co-owners Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino, it was her third win in 21 seasonal starts.
The week’s marquee trot saw last week’s winner — and this week’s eight-hole assignee — Somebody AS (Dan Dube) intent on the lead. He found it, vaulting over 8-5 choice DWs NY Yank (Brennan) right a :27.3 opening quarter-mile. After a :56.4 intermission, Meladys Monet (Bartlett) moved from fourth. Meladys Monet went right up and over a stopping leader, opening daylight by the 1:25.3 three-quarters. Lorenzo Dream (Brent Holland), given a perfect tow, was losing ground, while DWs NY Yank was shuffled out.
Meladys Monet, widening to two lengths off the final turn, looked home, but Obrigado never received the memo. Eighth at the half and seventh turning for home, Obrigado did something unheard of. He made up 7-¼ lengths to snap by Meladys Money by a head in 1:55.
Lorenzo Dream, Traverse Seelster (Tyler Buter) and DWs NY Yank came away with the minor awards.
For third choice Obrigado (Brian Sears, $10.80), a four-year-old Boy Band gelding co-owned by (trainer) Paul Kelley, William Weaver III, Linwood Higgins and Stable 45, he’s now 9-for-20 this season (30-for-43 lifetime).
Saturday night features two eliminations for Yonkers Trot No. 60 and one for Messenger Stakes No. 59. Also, a tribute to recently-retired Cat Manzi, who shall make the sixth race presentation, then autograph photos for fans.
(Yonkers Raceway)