Rockn Ruby N wins $32,000 Distaff Derby

Pocketed Rockn Ruby N (Dan Dube. $21.60) picked off pace-setting favorite Regil Elektra (Jason Bartlett) Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $32,000 harness racing Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

In play from her assigned post position No. 6, "Ruby" worked around Dune in Red (Mark MacDonald) before yielding to Regil Elektra.

The 13-10 choice made the lead right at the :27.4 opening quarter-mile, then found a :57.1 intermission.

Jungle Genie N (Brian Sears) moved from fourth, offering a timid bid in and out of the 1:26 three-quarters. Regil Elektra owned a length-and-a-half lead off the final turn, but "Ruby" was waiting.

She ducked inside and won a protracted lane battle, prevailing by a neck in 1:54.1

Jungle Genie N salvaged the bottom of the ticket, with Jaded Dream (Matt Kakaley) and a season-debuting Sell a Bit N (Jordan Stratton) rounding out the payees.

For fifth choice Rockn Ruby N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Mach Three owned by J L Sadowsky LLC and trained by Robert Bresnahan, it was her first win n five seasonal st arts.. The exacta paid $79, with the triple returning $242.50.

The Raceway's live season continues Saturday night, with a dozen races and a first post of 7:10 PM.

YONKERS' SATURDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $9,400 DOUBLE-CARRYOVER

A rare double-carryover has resulted in Yonkers Raceway's Saturday night (Feb. 20) Pick 5 wager beginning with $9,404.08 on account.

The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 7 through 11 during every racing program. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Tuesday afternoon and Friday evening), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program.

First post for the dozen-race card is 7:10 PM.

Frank Drucker