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Sunday, April 16, 2017

“THAT’S A WRAP” FOR PRELIMS OF LEVY PACING SERIES

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 15, 2017—The time to impress the judges concluded Saturday night (Apr. 15th), with preliminary-round competition ending for Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.

Round 5 saw three, $50,000 divisions go at it.

Favored Somewhere in L A (Jason Bartlett, $4.10) became the sport’s newest millionaire, easily winning the third event in front-end fashion. From post position No. 5, he never had any angst, especially after a cheapy half  (:28., 56.4, 1:24.3, 1:51.3).

The final margin was a length-and-a-quarter over a second-up Clear Vision (Brett Miller), with Guantanamo Bay (Scott Zeron) lasting for an uncovered third. All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) and tiring-pocket Wakazashi Hanover (Tim Tetrick) settled for the remainder.

For Somewhere in L A, a 6-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Richard Banca for co-owners D’elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P and Gandolfo Stables, it was his sixth win in a 13 seasonal starts (2-for-5 in series). The exacta paid $22.20, with the triple returning $95.

As mentioned at the outset, Somewhere in L A is now a career seven-figure performer ($1,022,456).

"I thought I might have an easy lead," Bartlett said. "He deserved it, he's been used hard a lot throughout the series.

            “He can get bit rank sometimes, but he was very good tonight. The fractions certainly helped.”

Defending series champ Bit of a Legend N (Jordan Stratton, $4.40) threw down the gauntlet for next week finale, going down the road from the pole (:27.1, 56.1, 1:25, 1:51.3) as the people’s choice in the night’s second event.

After stuffing Rockin’ Ron (Yannick Gingras) in behind, he whipped that rival by three-quarters of a length (note the :26.3 kicker), while Blood Brother (Bartlett) was a first-up third. Great Vintage (Mark MacDonald) and Missile J (Tetrick) earned the minors, with Missile J—already with three series win in his pocket—getting a ‘don’t get hurt’ trip from his outer venue.

For Bit of a Legend N, an 8-year-old Down Under son of Bettor’s Delight owned by Harry von Knoblauch and trained Peter Tritton, it was his second win in seven seasonal starts  (2-for-5 in series). The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $7.30, with the triple returning $34.20.

"Two weeks ago (winning), I could see he was his old self," Stratton said. "With the final next week some guys drove conservatively.”

            As far as any concern that his last quarter was too brisk a week before the final, “No. He had a lot left.”

Saturday night’s first Levy grouping had a first-over fave McWicked (Kakaley, $4.30), from post No. 2, edge past pace-setting Caviart Luca (George Brennan) after that one’s intervals of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:24.4.

McWicked vacated the three-hole, engaged ‘Luca’ in and out of the final turn and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.4 (again, note the :26.3 last quarter). First leader Mach it So (Tetrick) held for third, with Santa Fe Beachboy (Barlett) and Provocativeprincen (Stratton) getting the smaller change.

For McWicked, an 6-year-old son of McArdle trained by Steve Elliott for owner S S G Stables, he’s now 3-for-7 this season (1-for-5 in series). The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $11.40, with the triple returning $34.40.

The final preliminary standings, courtesy of Bob (OUTP) Miecuna, accompany this release. Note that these do not necessarily represent those horses eligible for the next Saturday’s (Apr. 22nd) final and consolation. Those determinations shall be made by the race office, with the draw set for Monday afternoon (Apr. 17th).

The purse for the final of the Levy has been calculated at $529,000 (sum of added money, nominating and starting fees), pending conformation by those who keep track of such things.  


Saturday night’s $55,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by Melady’s Monet (Miller, $6.10) in 1:54.4, fastest local mile of the season. 

George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series
2017 April 15, 2017
Order        Name 1st Leg 2nd Leg 3rd Leg 4th Leg 5th Leg 25 pts/start Total   
1 Somewhere In L A 12 25 25 50 50 125  287.0
2 Bit Of A Legend N 25 25 50 5 50 125  280.0
3 Missile J 50 50 50 5 100   255.0
4 Keystone Velocity 5 50 50 12 0 125  242.0
5 Mcwicked 0 0 25 25 50 125  225.0
6 Soto 50 12 50 8 100  220.0
7 Blood Brother 25 0 5 50 12 125  217.0
8 ProvacativeprinceN 50 0 25 5 5 125  210.0
9 Rockin Ron 25 50 8 25 100  208.0
10 Mach It So 12 8 5 25 12 125  187.0
11 Wakizashi Hanover 8 25 12 8 5 125  183.0
12 Great Vintage 0 5 25 12 8 125  175.0
12 Long Live Rock 50 0 0 0 0 125  175.0
14 Guantanamo Bay 12 5 8 12 12 125  174.0
15 Caviart Luca 0 0 8 5 25 125  163.0