BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, March 28,
2015—Yonkers Raceway offered up Round 2 of the George Morton Levy Memorial
Pacing Series Saturday night. Four, eight-horse $50,000 divisions against
featured the best Free-For-Allers, and a trio of combatants couldn’t wait to
double their pleasure.
Defending series champ P H Supercam
(Jason Bartlett, $7) used the same M-O—sitting a three-hole and closing deep in
the passing lane—that worked so well in the 2014 finale. “Supercam,” from post
position No. 4, went by a pocket-sitting Frankie’s Dragon (George Brennan) to
win the first grouping by a length-and-a-half in 1:52.4. Clear Vision (Yannick
Gingras), the just-over-even-money favorite, was a first-up third.
The first three intervals (:27, :57, 1:24.1) were
provided by Heez Orl Black N (Shaun Vallee), before that one tired and finished
last.
For second choice P H Supercam, an 8-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding owned by Bamond Racing and trained by Jeff Bamond Jr., it was his fourth win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $27.40, with the triple returning $86.
The second event was Polak A (Brian
Sears, $7.80) repeat what he did in the series opener, as in win the draw and
make the rest of his rivals pay.
After giving it up to Michael’s Power
(Dan Dube), Polak A took over before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. After a cheapy, :29.2 next interval (:56.4
half), 4-5 fave Foiled Again (Gingras) moved from third.
A :27.4
third quarter (1:24.3) ensued, with Polak A maintaining a short lead into the
lane. He dug in, holding off both Michael’s Power (neck) and Foiled Again
(length-and-a-quarter) in 1:52.4. Mach’s Beach Boy (Pat Lachance) was
fourth.
For second choice Polak A, a 7-year-old
Down Under son of Pacific Fella trained by Tony O’Sullivan for co-owners Frank
Bellino & Sons, Frank J Bellino and Joseph Bellino, he’s now 2-for-2
stateside and 2-for-3 in ’15. The exacta paid $33, the triple returned $64 and
the superfecta paid $231.50.
Saturday’s third Levy grouping was won
by 6-5 second choice Beach Memories (Gingras, $4.50). Leaving from post No. 4,
he worked hard to get around Sapphire City (Bartlett). From there, and
sub-sections of :27.3, :57, 1:24.2
and 1:53, Beach Memories held off that same Sapphire City by a neck, with 11-10
wagering choice Mach it So (Tim Tetrick) a non-threatening third.
For Beach Memories, a 5-year-old
Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Strollin Stable AWS Stables King
McNamara and Country Club Acres and trained by Ron Burke, it was his second win
in five seasonal starts. The exacta paid $14, with the triple returning $28.80.
The evening’s final series event saw
driver Gingras author some Raceway robbery with Bettor’s Edge ($12.20) in
1:53.3. Leaving alertly from post No. 4, Bettor’s Edge met no resistance
whatsoever from 3-10 choice Dancin’ Yankee (Brett Miller).
Left to his own accord (:28, 57.2, 1:25.4), Bettor’s Edge opened a
length-and-a-half in and out of the final turn. He then easily repelled his
odds-on pursuer, winning by a half-length. Windsong Jack (Sears) was third,
with McErlean (Tyler Buter) fourth.
For second
choice Bettor’s Edge, a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding co-owned (as Burke
Racing) by (trainer) Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and M1 Stable, it was his first win
in a couple of ’15 tries. The exacta paid $31.40, the triple returned $66 and
the superfecta paid $425.
Saturday night’s
$42,000 Open Handicap Trot went to DW’s NY Yank (Brennan, $4.70) in 1:56.1.
The Raceway’s live season continues
Monday night (post time 7:10 PM, $54,800 final of Petticoat), Tuesday (1 PM,
$62,200 final of Sagamore Hill), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10
PM, with Matchmaker and Levy series continuing Fridays and Saturdays).
Afternoon simulcasting available daily (Note there is no simulcasting the next
two Sundays [Palm Sunday, Easter]).
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