BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Saturday, February 28, 2015— Dan Dube (that's right,
him again) shamelessly hogged Yonkers Raceway's Saturday night glory with
Michael's Power ($6.80) and eight-hole assigned Not Afraid ($3).
It
was Michael's Power winning the $35,000 Open Pace in 1:53.4. Making the first
lead from post position No 4, he gave it up to 13-10 favorite Dapper Dude
(Brian Sears). That one led through intervals of :28.4, :57.3 and 1:26.1.
In a
rare event where all eight starters were off three weeks (weather), Dapper Dude
owned and a length-and-a-half lead into the lane. However, company was
coming to his immediate inside. Ducking to the passing lane was Michael's
Power, who went by a stubborn leader late. The final margin was a
head, with third going to a cone-skimming Sapphire City (Eric Carlson).
Mach's Beach Boy and McErlean (Tyler Buter) settling for the remainder.
For
second choice Michael's Power, a homebred 6-year-old Cambest gelding owned/bred
by Jeff Snyder and trained by Mark Silva, it was his third win in five seasonal
starts. The exacta paid $16.60, with the triple returning $75.
The
weekly marquee trot, handicapped in all eight starting venues and with a
similar $35,000 pot, saw a predictable result. Apparently, they can't
widen the starting gate to create enough of an impost for Not Afraid.
Settling
in an early sixth, the 1-2 choice saw Awesome Valley (George Brennan) take his
shot (:28.2, :58.4) before Not Afraid took up the chase. The two were engaged
in and out of a 1:27.2 three-quarters. Not Afraid eventually dismissed his
rival off the final turn, then widened to win by a length-and-a-half in 1:56
Super
Manning (Matt Kakaley) and Backstreet Hanover (Buter) showed up late to grab
second and third, respectively, with Awesome Valley and Murmur Hanover (Pat
Lachance) grabbing the final pay envelopes.
For
Not Afraid, a 6-year-old SJ'S Caviar gelding trained by Jimmy Takter for
co-owners his wife, Christina, John Fielding and Goran Anderberg, it was his
third consecutive win and fifth in seven '15 tries. The exacta paid $13.80,
with the triple returning $38.60.
The Raceway’s
live season continues Monday (7:10 PM), with a $10,000 guaranteed pool Pick 5
(50-cent base wager, races 7 through 11). After that, it’s Tuesday (1 PM), then
Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 PM). Note that the next two “French”
Sunday matinees are March 8 and 15, with post times TBA as of this writing.
Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon
simulcasting available daily (all provided Mother Nature cooperates).
