A perfect-trip Jewel Lehigh A (Dan Dube, $55.50) lit up the toteboard on Friday night (May 26), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.
Away sixth from post position No. 3 in her first try against the big girls, Jewel Lehigh A saw much action unfold in front of her. Apple Bottom Jeans (George Brennan) made the lead from post No. 7 before a 27-second opening quarter-mile.
She then gave it to an intermission (:56.1) move by Blacknsweet Adda A (Greg Merton), and when that one took over, Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) — back locally after some fine work in the Blue Chip Matchmaker — was left naked, as the empress with no clothes.
Shesjustadelight N pressed the issue in and out of a 1:24.3 three-quarters, with the heroine of this missive latching on to a perfect tow. After ‘Justadelight’ worse down Blacknsweet Adda A (that one backpedaling to last), Jewel Lehigh A had dead aim on the new leader and the winner’s circle.
She went on by a stubborn life-best, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3. Shesjustadelight N was a solid second, with Al Raza N (Eric Abbatiello) third. Apple Bottom Jeans crossed the line fourth, but saw her finish flipped with Dublin Rose (Jason Bartlett) for going inside the cones.
For rank outsider Jewel Lehigh A, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Cammibest owned by Michael Goldberg and trained by Andrew Harris, the win was her fourth in 13 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $709, with the triple returning $2,856. The race also completed an all-Dube Pick 3, which returned $1,017. Dube won five races during the 11-race program.
Saturday night (May 27), the Raceway presents two of its premier stakes event of the season:
$140,770 Lismore (three-year-old pacing fillies)
Race 6 - approx. post 8:50 p.m.
1 - Warrawee Sunshine - Tim Tetrick
2 - Caviart Cherie - Jason Bartlett
3 - Caviart Ally - Andrew McCarthy
4 - Agent Q - Dave Miller
5 - Big City Betty - Jim Marohn Jr.
6 - Gotthisone Hanover - George Brennan
7 - Tequila Monday - Brian Sears
8 - Ashlees Spitfire - Dan Dube
$300,000 Art Rooney Pace (three-year-old open)
Race 8 - approx. post 9:30 p.m.
1 - Macs Jackpot,g -Jason Bartlett
2 - Miso Fast - Matt Kakaley
3 - Downbytheseaside - Dave Miller
4 - Rollin About,g - Brent Holland
5 - Funknwaffles,g - Brian Sears
6 - Summer Side -Tim Tetrick
7 - Henry The Dragon - Montrell Teague
8 - Stealth Bomber - Brett Miller
*g-gelding, remainder are colts
Since no one took down Friday’s Pick 5, Saturday’s gimmick begins with a carryover of $3,231.94 (50-cent base wager, races seven through 11).
There’s also a racing hat giveaway (one per Empire Club member, while supplies last).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)