Upsetter Semi Tough's victory in the $36,000 Open Handicap Pace was among a number of upsets on Monday night at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Driver Joe Bongiorno engineered the 10-1 upset win, sending Semi Tough down the road through fractions of 27.1, 55.4 and 1:23.3 before holding off pocket-sitter Oakwoodnitownit IR (Matt Kakaley) by a neck in the 1:52.1 mile. Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) rallied from second-over to get third.
Ron Burke trains Semi Tough, a seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Frank Baldachino, Jandt Silva- Purnel And Libby and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Semi Tough picked up his 29th career victory while sending his earnings to $1,113,488. He paid $22.40 to win.
Additional surprises by Pinebush Lifesaver (14-1) and War Dan Delight N (27-1) led to the Pick 5 not being hit. As a result, on Tuesday night's (May 30) program, there will be an $11,089.71 carryover and a $25,000 guaranteed pool in the sequence.
The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. The Pick 5, which begins in race five, has a takeout rate of 20 percent.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday-Saturday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m.
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