YONKERS,
NY, Saturday, April 27, 2013--Brian Sears' plan was simple...if they were going
to beat him, they were going to have to pass him.
They did not.
Harness racing’s richest event of the season to date put a bow on a six-week
competition for the leading Free-For-Allers, and Razzle Dazzle--the public
choice at just above even-money—made his intentions known very early.
He left, as did Versado (Andy Miller) from his immediate outside and two-time
series champ Foiled Again from post No. 7. That one had more than enough room
to drop in ahead of entrymate Annie'swesterncard (Matt Kakaley), who had drawn
post No. 3.
Razzle Dazzle found a 27-second opening quarter-mile, then rated a 29-second
next interval (:56 half) before "Annie" took out fourth. That one
waited for Foiled Again to make his second move, which was a strong one.
Harness racing's all-time richest pacer threw down the gauntlet, prompting
Razzle Dazzle with a :27.3 third quarter (1:23.3). Razzle Dazzle countered,
taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.
He needed a good bit of that advantage, as Foiled Again kept up those unwanted
advances. Razzle Dazzle held sway, however, winning by a neck in 1:51.3.
Versado ducked inside and was third--beaten a length--with Annie'swesterncard
and Casimir Jitterbug (Doug McNair) completing the cashers.
Rounding out the order were Dancin' Yankee (Tim Tetrick), Second Wind N (Eric
Goodell) and a done-in-by-the-draw Something for Doc (George Brennan).
"Doc," the prelim rounds points leader making his first start for
trainer Mark Ford after his purchase last week, could not reach from the
ever-popular eight-hole.
For Razzle Dazzle, a 6-year-old Real Desire gelding owned by Ira Kristel and trained by Mark Silva, he returned $4.10 for his fourth win in six seasonal starts. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $6.40, the triple returned $16.20 and the superfecta ("Jitterbug" fourth for purposes of this wager) paid $94.
"Winning the draw definitely dictated my strategy," Sears said.
"He's been tremendous throughout the series, and all the credit goes to
Mark (Silva) for having him on his toes.
:I have all the respect for Foiled
Again, but things worked out well for us tonight and we able to beat him."
Foiled Again, snapped in deep stretch by stablemate Atochia (Ron Pierce) in last season's edition of the Levy, now boasts career earnings of $4,831,984.
The $100,000 series consolation was by 11-10 favorite Shoobee's Place (Brennan,
$4.30) in 1:52.1.
The 12-race card produced a total handle of $1,060,992, Yonkers' second seven-figure night of the season.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live
schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and
Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with
afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.
