BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 26,
2014—“At the half, I knew I was in trouble.”
Such was the post-mortem of one Yannick
Gingras after Foiled Again—despite everything seemingly going his way—faded to
third Saturday night in Yonkers Raceway’s early-rain-impeded $567,000 final of
the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.
“Trouble” was of no consequence of P H
Supercam (Jason Bartlett), the reformed claimer who scooted up the passing lane
to win North America’s richest race of the season to date and the richest
edition in this race’s history.
At the outset of the 27th
Levy—honoring the Hall of Fame founder of Roosevelt Raceway—it was as expected.
Foiled Again, eying a third series title, was in play from post position No. 3.
He worked around pole-sitting Sapphire City (Eric Carlson), with P H
Supercam—from post No. 2—away third.
Meanwhile,
Bettor’s Edge (George Brennan), coupled with Foiled Again as the 7-10 favored
entry, left enough from post No. 6 to act as a traffic impediment. A :27.2
opening quarter led to a spongy :56.2 intermission, and the sport’s
richest-ever looked to be comfy.
Going toward the
1:24.4 three-quarters, Dancin’ Yankee (Ron Pierce) went wide, while Apprentice
Hanover (Jody Jamieson) wound up from last.
Foiled Again
owned a length-and-a-quarter lead entering the lane, but this was not to be his
finest hour.
P H Supercam
rallied inside, while “Apprentice” closed like a train outside. In the end, the
shorter route was the better route, with “Supercam” whipping Apprentice Hanover
by a neck in 1:52.3. Foiled Again settled for third—beaten three-quarters of a
length—with Sapphire City and Dancin’ Yankee grabbing the minor awards.
Texican N (Brian
Sears), Bettor’s Edge and Mach it So (Tim Tetrick)—coupled with the
winner--completed the order.
For second choice P H Supercam, a
7-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding owned by Bamond Racing and trained by PJ
Fraley, he returned $6.40 for his third win in a dozen seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $49.20, with the triple returning $105.50.
“I love him,” Bartlett—who won this race
(ironically, with Foiled Again) in 2010—said. “He’s so quick, and once he saw
the hole, he just exploded.
“It’s a horse race, and even if Foiled
Again wasn’t at his best, mine was tremendous. It’s a big honor to win a race
like this.”
As for the runner-up, “He was awesome,”
Jamieson said. “I wish I had a better trip, but he proved himself to me,
(trainer) Ben (Wallace) and everyone.”
A $100,000 series consolation was won by
Clear Vision (Brennan, $2.10, part of entry) in 1:53.
