BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Sunday, March 5, 2017—This is
one for all you hunch players out there.
Tuesday evening (March 7th),
Yonkers Raceway begins its annual tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, the Sagamore
Hill Pacing Series. It’s the male version of the night-before’s (Monday, March
6th) start of the ladies-only Petticoat Pacing Series.
Both are open to 3- and 4-year-olds who
are/were non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through this past Dec. 1st.
Sagamore Hill is the Oyster Bay (Long
Island, NY) estate which served as Roosevelt’s home (or home away from his D-C
home) from 1885 until his death in 1919.
Which brings to our inkling. Included in
the roster of Sagamore Hill entrants is none other than Bully Pulpit, named
after the Roosevelt phrase for the power of presidential persuasion.
The 4-year-old Well Said gelding drew post
position No. 5 in the seventh race, fourth of five, $20,000 series divisions.
At first glance, Bully Pulpit just sort of blends in with the crowd. A local
regular, he’s won once in five seasonal starts (see photo), and has made money
in four of those tries.
Bully Pulpit landed in a tough Tuesday
group and—hunches aside—figures to offer some wagering value. Jordan Stratton
drives for owner Jonathan Newman and trainer Rich Banca.
Perhaps Bully Pulpit can indeed ‘speak
softly and carry a big stick.’ Our 26th president is watching (just
buy the premise).
