BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Saturday, January 12, 2019—Fresh off a five-win performance the previous
evening. Jason Bartlett’s Saturday night (Jan. 12th) saw him take
down both of Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $44,000 Opens.
Bartlett did it
with a pair of fours.
Bellows Binge
($19.40)—from post position No. 4—closed from third-over in the weekly featured
pace, snapping Christen Me N (Matt Kakaley) at the wire in 1:54.
Bettor’s Fire N
(Ron Cushing) grabbed third as the 62-1 rank outsider in a race that set
up for the come-from-behind set when polester Run Oneover N (George Brennan)
took no early prisoners. He stuffed 3-2 favorite Air Strike (Brent Holland) and
Sicily (Jim Marohn Jr.) in behind, paying a :25.3 price for the privilege.
After a :56.3
intermission, Sicily was out and moving again, engaging Run Oneover N in and
out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters.
Rune Oneover N was about to wear out his welcome early in the lane as Christen
Me N moved from second-over. He made the lead late, but could not stall Bellow
Binge. The latter whipped the former by a scant nose, while Aston Hill Dave
(Tyler Buter) and Sicily chased home Bettor’s Fire N for the minors
For
fifth choice Bellow’s Binge, a now-5-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding owned
and trained by Richard Banca, it was his first start in the Open/Open Handicap.
The exacta paid $56.50, the triple returned $5,271 and the superfecta paid
$14,357 (base $2 payout).
Bartlett and pocket–sitting fave Andy Ray ($4)—from post No. 4--stalked
Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Dube) throws intervals of :27.4, 57.3 and 1:26.2, then eased
past by a length in 1:55.4. Third went to closing Mostinterestingman (Troy
Beyer), with Royal Bachelor (Marohn Jr.), with Thisguysonfire (Jordan Stratton)
settling for the remainder.
For
Andy Ray, a now-7-year-old Crazed gelding owned by Yinson Quezada and trained
by Anette Lorentzon, his career cash went up and over a half-million dollars.
The exacta paid $22.60, the triple returned $73.50 and the superfecta paid
$426.
Props also to millionaires Melady’s Monet and Great Vintage, the trotter and
pace who put up career wins No. 53 and 48, respectively, during the Saturday
card.
