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Sunday, June 22, 2014

DIGITAL Z TAM WINS SATURDAY NIGHT 42G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, June 21, 2014—Longshot Digital Z Tam (Brent Holland) vaulted from second-over Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.

            Sitting chilly from post position No. 5, "Digital" saw Sapphire City (Pat Lachance) uncork early intervals of :27.4 and :56.3.

            Meanwhile, 3-5 choice Heston Blue Chip (Dan Dube), who did not leave, was forced to try it first-up. He moved from third, with  Digital Z Tam right behind. Sapphire City and Heston Blue Chip dropped the gloves in and out of a 1:24.1 three-quarters and into the early lane,

            There, the favorite put away the leader, but could not counter the challenger on his rear. Digital Z Tam prevailed over the people's choice by three-quarters of a length in 1:52. P H Supercam (Jason Bartlett), last turning for home, rallied for third, with Pancetta (Larry Stalbaum) and Steelhead Hanover (Eric Goodell) rounding out the payees.  

            For Digital Z Tam, a 10-year-old Cambest gelding owned by J M F Racing and trained by Gilberto Garcia-Herrera, he returned $40 (seventh choice) for his seventh win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $147,50, with the triple returning $563.

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule is back in vogue, 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.