BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, October 29, 2016—Despite nearly falling
asleep at the wheel, favored Bit of a Legend N (Jordan Stratton, $3.70)
prevailed Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway $45,000 Open Handicap Pace.
In play from a generous post position No. 5 (posts 2 through 6
were drawn), the Levy Series champ worked around Keystone Velocity (Dan Dube)
before a pokey 28-second opening quarter-mile.
There were no goose bumps at the pedestrian :57.2 intermission or
1:25.4 three-quarters, with longshot B J’s Guy (Brent Holland) vacating the
three-hole.
Bit of a Legend N owned a couple of lengths in and out of
the final turn, and looked home…before he looked disinterested.
It was Keystone Velocity finding his best mojo late, but a bit too late, as the
fave held by a desperate nose in 1:52.4. The Real One (Steve Smith) was a
rallying third, with Dream Out Loud N (Tyler Buter) and B J’s Guy rounding out
the payees.
For Bit of a Legend N, a 7-year-old son Down Under son of Bettor’s
Delight owned by Harry von Knoblauch and trained by Peter Tritton, it was his
12th win in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $7.20, with the
triple (three wagering choices in order) returning $20.40.
Reminder that Sunday matinees return tomorrow (Oct. 30th),
with a 12:30 PM first post and the first seven (of 11) races as the 10-horse,
mile-and-a-quarter, simulcast overseas trotting category.
