BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, March 29, 2014—“He stopped surprising me a long time
ago,” driver Yannick Gingras said before Foiled Again’s 200th career
start.
There would be no surprises Saturday
night, as Foiled Again’s 78th lifetime victory was among his
simplest in Round 2 of Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing
Series.
Leaving from post position No. 4 in the
last of four, $50,000 divisions, Foiled Again, leading a 1-20 Ron Burke-trained
troika, had nothing more than a soggy stroll.
After fractions
of :28.1, :57, 1:25.3 and 1:53.4, Foiled Again found himself getting to
the finish line 3¼ lengths before his competition. In this case, the closest
competition was entrymate Aracache Hanover (Dan Dube), with Texican N
(Brian Sears) third.
For Foiled Again, a 10-year-old Dragon
Again gelding, the $25,000 public workout payday increased his lifetime loot to
$6,080,968. Burke co-owns (as Burke Racing) with Weaver Bruscemi and JJK
Stables. He returned the legal-minimum $2.10, with the exacta (Texican N second
for this wager) paying $7.70.
The win pool of $84,083—of which $56,387
was wagered on the “Foiled” faction—is believed to be the largest since the
filly See You at Peelers whipped the boys in the Art Rooney Pace a couple of
seasons ago.
Foiled Again was just one of four repeat
winners as the Levy series rolled on. It had to be contagious…even the
Philadelphia 76ers won.
Mach it So (Tim Tetrick) has become the
bettor’s best friend. After winning at 8-1 in the opening leg, he snapped 9-10
choice Apprentice Hanover (Jody Jamieson) on the money in the evening’s fourth
division to the tune of 20-1.
Leaving from post No. 6, Mach it So was
well back early as Dancin’ Yankee (Ron Pierce) made the lead around
Apprentice Hanover. After a 27-second opening
quarter-mile, Sweet Lou (Gingras), half of the 9-10 second-choice (not a
misprint as Apprentice Hanover was the wagering favorite), came to visit.
However, the leader was in no mood for company, parking “Lou” passed a
55-second intermission.
Down the
backside, Sweet Lou’s barn buddy, Easy Again (George Brennan), made a bold
move, wide from fifth. However, going the 1:23.1 three-quarters, the leader
stood his ground. Entering the lane, after Sweet Lou gave up the ghost,
Apprentice Hanover adroitly slipped out of the pocket.
He looked every
bit the winner before the blur of Mach it So—fifth turning for home--nailed him
by a head in 1:52.4. Third went to Easy Again.
For Mach it So, a 4-year-old Mach Three
gelding owned by Bamond Racing and trainer P J Fraley, he returned $42.80
(fourth choice) for his second win in two series/season starts. The exacta paid
$116.50, with the triple returning $256.
“He’s been under the radar, but he’s
been very sharp,” Tetrick said. “There was a lot of action up front, and that’s
what gave him a shot.”
The evening’s other Levy events were won by
--Bettor’s Edge,g,5 (by Bettor’s Delight); co-owners (as Burke Racing, trainer)
Burke,Weaver Bruscemi,M1 Stb/driver Gingras; 1:53.4/$2.60 (POE);
--Itrustyou,g,6 (by Third Straight); co-owners (as Burke Racing, trainer)
Burke,Weaver Bruscemi,RTC Stbs/driver Gingras; 1:55/$2.10 (POE).
