Yonkers: The "Queen Bee" back on her throne

Out since May 21 due to injury, Bee A Magician returned to the races in the $250,000 Yonkers Invitational Trot on Saturday afternoon, and she was ready to roll, trotting a 2:25 1/5 mile and a quarter to get the victory.

With Brian Sears handling the driving assignment, Bee A Magician got away third while Barn Doll (Jeff Gregory), who started from the rail, got everybody in behind her through a 27 4/5 opening quarter. Sears then tipped his chammpion mare to the outside, and she would gain the lead before the 57 4/5 half-mile marker. Bee A Magician was unchallenged through three-quarters in 1:28 2/5, but then the pressure was ramped up by a first-over Melady's Monet (Jason Bartlett), who got to the leader's wheel at the 1:57 mile.

Melady's Monet's bid stalled beyond the mile marker, and through the stretch Bee A Magician remained in front, ultimately winning by just over a length over a game Melady's Monet. Barn Doll was third at the rail, followed by Lookslikeachpndale (Daniel Dube) and Wind Of The North (Corey Callahan).

"It was a lot to ask, having not raced in five months, but she's really fresh and she feels really good," said Sears. "She's out there on the track acting really ornery, wanting to kick and play around a little bit. That usually means she's pretty good. As far as her fitness goes, she hasn't had a lot of miles, but it just shows that a good horse can overcome that.

"It was a big effort. We didn't go real hard fractions in between there, but I was really pleased with the way she raced. She's very sound and straight, and I was really happy with her."

Nifty Norman trains Bee A Magician, a 6-year-old Kadabra mare, for owners Melvin Hartman, Herb Liverman, and David McDuffee. This was Bee A Magician's 45th win from 69 career starts, and she has now earned $3,948,115. The 4-5 favorite, Bee A Magician paid $3.30 to win.