Yonkers: Bioness best in French-American Trotting Club Series Final

A second-tier Bioness (Brian Sears, $33.80) made one decisive move Sunday afternoon (Sept. 2nd), winning the $120,000 final of Yonkers Raceway’s French-American Trotting Club Series. The finale, wrapping a four-race series for imported French-breds, went a mile and a half and was the first of the day's four added-distance races.

Away sixth (fifth after a breaker) from post position nine, Bioness made the lead from 47-1 Adagio De La Tour (Jason Bartlett) between the 28 3/5 opening quarter-mile and the 59 1/5 half.

Bioness then fought off Uhlan Noir (Brent Holland), with Deo (George Brennan) wide behind that one. While this was going on, 6-5 choice Versachet (Jordan Stratton) found himself going wide to nowhere, while second choice Ursis Des Caillons (Joe Bongiorno) was done in by an early break.

After subsequent substations of 1:28 3/5, 1:58 and 2:28, Bioness opened to three lengths into the lane. Though tiring, Bioness did hold sway over a handful of pursuers, winning by a length in 2:58. Adagio De La Tour closed from a loose pocket and wound up second, with Alpha D’Urzy (Louis-Philippe Roy) third. Ursis Des Caillions did recover for fourth, with first leader Barry Black (Austin Siegelman) lasting for the last pay envelope.

For fifth choice Bioness, a 7-year-old Sam Bourbon gelding owned by Northfork Racing Stable and trained by Chris Oakes, it was his third win in 13 seasonal starts (a second and two thirds in series prelims). The exacta paid $1,004, the triple returned $6,978 and the superfecta paid $43,653 (base $2 payout).

--press release (Yonkers)--