BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Tuesday, March 29, 2016--“O
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?”
In the case of Rodeo Romeo (Brian Sears,
$2.50), try the winner’s circle, which he found with the greatest of ease
Tuesday afternoon after Yonkers Raceway’s $63,000 final of the Sagamore Hill
Pacing Series.
The Raceway’s annual testament to Teddy
Roosevelt—richest local race of the season to date—was open to 3- and
4-year-old gentlemen who were non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through
last Dec. 1.
Rodeo Romeo made short of his foes here.
In play at the outset from post position No. 2, he easily worked around
pole-sitting Toni’s Affection (Scott Zeron), making the lead well before a :27.3 opening quarter-mile. From there
(:56.4, 1:25.2, 1:54), no issues whatsoever.
“Romeo” owned
a length-and-a-half lead entering the lane, then opened to 4¾ lengths at the
wire. Toni’s Affection held second over a two-move J T (George Brennan), with
lone 3-year-old Don’tcallmefrancis (Jason Bartlett) and Secret Delight (Matt
Kakaley) settling for the remainder.
Sports Bettor
(Mark MacDonald), AM Magic Man (Dan Dube) and B Well (Andy Miller) rounded out
the order.
For Rodeo Romeo,
a 4-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover trained by Chris Ryder for co-owners
Oompa’s Farm, Michael Day and Robert Mondillo, it was his third
win in four seasonal/series starts. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid
$7.70, with the triple returning $32.60.
“He’s a good-gaited, handy horse,” Sears
said. “They did give me a lot of respect up front and there wasn’t much to it.”
A $25,000 series consolation was won by
BB’s Harley (Dube, $13.80) by open lengths in 1:55.2.
