BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, January 25, 2014--Sapphire City (Eric Carlson) made
amends Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $33,000 Open Handicap
Pace.
The race took on a different
description early as 7-5 favorite Bettor's Edge (George Brennan) jumped it off
early. Those who minded their manners were led by last week's pocket winner,
Lumberjack Willie (Jordan Stratton).
That one worked around Sapphire
City--who left from post position No. 3--before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. A
cheapy, 29-second next interval (:56.1 half) before Fat Man's Alley (Jason
Bartlett) moved from fourth. He just sat out there though another 29-second
sub-station (1:25.1 three-quarters).
It was "Willie" taking a
two-length lead into the lane, but he could not close the seal, Sapphire City,
fading on the lead at 7-10 a week ago, closed ranks and went by, as did a stubborn
Fat Man's Alley. The former whipped the latter by 1:54, with Lumberjack Willie,
Dream Out Loud N (Eric Goodell) and Money Twitch A (Matt Kakaley) settling for
the remainder.
For Sapphire City, a 6-year-old
Metropolitan gelding trained by Paul Blumenfeld for co-owners Jordan Sklut and
Centaur Stables, he returned $13.40 (third choice) for his first win in three
seasonal starts. The exacta paid $54.50, with the triple returning $228.
Special Saturday props to rank
outsider Nathan Feelsgood (Carlson), who authored a 46-1 upset in the $17,500,
ninth-race pace at 46-1. The $95.50 win mutuel was a season-high thus far in
2014.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post
every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting
available daily.
