by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Favored Rockin’ Ron (George Brennan, $4.60) finished what he started Saturday night (Aug. 5), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Georgia Panagi photo

Rockin’ Ron wins the featured event at Yonkers Raceway in a season’s best 1:51.

In play from assigned post position six, Rockin’ Ron worked around P H Supercam (Brent Holland) before a :26.3 opening quarter-mile. Sunfire Blue Chip (Mark MacDonald) left outside Rockin’ Ron, but was relegated to a three-hole.

Rockin Ron’ found a 55-second intermission, then threw down a :27.2 third quarter (1:22). The maneuver lost P H Supercam as ‘Sunfire’ moved past him.

The leader opened 2-1/4 lengths into the lane, holding Sunfire Blue Chip at bay by a length in 1:51…matching the fastest local mile of the season. Somewhere In L A (Jason Barlett) was third, also after solid, two-move try, with P H Supercam and Melmerby Beach (Greg Merton) rounding out the payees.

For Rockin’ Ron, a 5-year-old Real Desire gelding co-owned as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and RTC Stables, it was his fourth win in 17 2017 tries (25th career victory, earnings over $700,000). The exacta paid $33.20, with the triple returning $121.50.

Yonkers offers up the fourth of eight consecutive Sunday matinees (Aug. 6), with a first post of 12:30 p.m.