Yonkers: Racine Bell best in Friday's feature

Racine Bell, who made a break in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final and then was second against males in the Open at Vernon Downs in her last two outings, found the winner's circle after a 1:52 3/5 performance in the $36,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace on Friday night (May 19) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

Driver Jason Bartlett had Racine Bell in the pocket past the start, but he moved her to the outside and took the top spot away from a fast-leaving Delitfulcatherin N (Jordan Stratton) at the 28 second opening quarter. Racine Bell would then go on to the half in 56 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:24 3/5, with Drama Act (George Brennan) going first-over out of third on the way to the latter marker.

Drama Act kept plugging away on the rim around the last turn and into the lane, but Racine Bell fought her off through the drive, while also keeping Delitfulcatherin N pinned in the pocket, to prevail by a length and a quarter. Delitfulcatherin N did hold on for second at odds of 36-1, and Drama Act had to settle for third.

A 6-year-old So Surreal mare, Racine Bell is trained by Dave Dewhurst for owners Chris and Dale Lawton. This was her 32nd career victory, and she has now earned $1,060,419. She paid $3.90 to win as the 4-5 favorite and led a $141.00 exacta and a $447.00 trifecta.

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That win by Racine Bell would be the last one by a favorite on Friday night's program as 43-1 shot Blood Brother and 21-1 offering Alotbettor N swept the late Daily Double. Those upsets led to the Pick 5 not being hit, and as a result, there will be a carryover of $6,551.32 and a guaranteed pool of $20,000 in the sequence on Saturday night (May 20).

The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program. Free HarnessEye past performances for the Pick 5, will be available here. 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. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--