Speed Man N, sent off at 7-1, held sway tenaciously on the front-end to win Monday night’s (Feb. 21) $39,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway in 1:52.1, giving driver Jason Bartlett one of his five trips to the winner’s circle on the program.
Starting from post four, Speed Man N left quickly and cleared Braeview Bondi A, driven by Marcus Miller, for the top spot prior to the :26.4 opening quarter. Bartlett then stole well-rated middle-half stations of :56.2 and 1:24.2, giving his charge the necessary stamina to deal with a first-over Red Right Hand, steered by Scott Zeron, and a second-over Dragon Said, piloted by Joe Bongiorno, in the last quarter.
Red Right Hand, the 2-1 second choice, and Dragon Said, the 3-2 favourite, did their best in the lane to try and chase down Speed Man N, but the pacesetter dug in determinedly and hit the finish line a neck ahead of Red Right Hand. Dragon Said, making his first start of 2022, was the third-place finisher.
An eight-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding by Rocknroll Hanover, Speed Man N is trained by Doug Dilloian Jr. for owners Dilloian Stable LLC. and Pit Bull Stable LLC. This was Speed Man N’s 25th career victory and he has now earned $343,105.
Speed Man N paid $17.80 to win and led a $64 exacta and a $241 trifecta.
Neither the Pick 5 or the Pick 6 were hit on Monday night, and as a result, there will be a $12,840.97 carryover and a $35,000 guaranteed pool in Tuesday night's (Feb. 22) Pick 5. There is also a $3,618.73 carryover in the Pick 6. The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. Free past performances for the Pick 5, courtesy of TrackMaster, will be available here. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 per cent.
Betting was brisk throughout Monday night’s program overall, with handle totalling $907,622.
Tuesday night’s 11-race program gets underway at 6:55 p.m.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)