Fresh off a five-win night at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, driver Mark MacDonald steered River Shark second-over into sizzling Saturday night fractions to capture the $36,000 Open Handicap Pace
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Leaving from post position No. 3, River Shark and MacDonald watched the early floor show. Last week's winner--and this week's eight-hole assignee—Sea Venture (George Brennan) was back-fence wide working to the lead.
He made it around Wayne The Lefty (Larry Stalbaum) after a :26.3 opening quarter-mile. Nob Hill High (Jordan Stratton), who had left into a three-hole as the 3-1 favourite, was out and moving again before a :54.4 intermission.
River Shark grabbed that tow going toward the 1:23 three-quarters, as the field closed ranks on the leader. Sea Venture was done in the final turn, with River Shark the first of many to go right by. He won by a length in 1:51.4. Whackamole Hanover (Brent Holland) found room late and grabbed second, with Clear Vision (Jason Bartlett) third. Nob Hill High and Wayne The Lefty rounded out the payees.
For River Shark, a six-year-old Four Starzzz Shark gelding co-owned by trainer Mark Ford, Bob DiNozzi, VIP Internet Stable and EL Lob, he returned $21.40 (seventh choice) for his fifth win in 16 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $100, with the triple returning $423.50.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)