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

Yonkers, NY — “She’s just a big, strong (mare) who carries her speed a long way and hums around Yonkers with no problem.”

Tom Berg photo

Tim Tetrick drove Witch Dali to the winners’s circle, sweeping the Petticoat Pacing Series’ prelims Monday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Such was the Tim Tetrick Monday night post-mortem after Witch Dali ($2.10) authored a third consecutive public workout, sweeping the (Mar. 23) Raceway’s three preliminary legs in the Petticoat Pacing Series.

Leaving from post position three in the first of two $12,500 events for 3- and 4-year-old lasses, the 1-20 favorite never had an anxious moment (:28.2, :58.2, 1:26.1; 1:54.1). The final margin was a wrapped-up six lengths over Always Sunday (Jason Bartlett), with Cheyenne Robin (George Brennan) third.

For Witch Dali, a 4-year-old daughter of Dali co-owned (as Alagna Racing) by (trainer) Tony Alagna and Brad Grant, it was her fifth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.80, with the triple returning $39.20.

It was Witch Dali’s second consecutive six-length romp in the preps, firmly stamping her as the lass to beat in next Monday’s (March 30) $54,800 finale of the Petticoat.

Monday night’s other series event went to Cruisinwithmybaby (Tyler Buter, $7.80).

Series action continues Tuesday afternoon, with a pair of $12,500 divisions in the third round of the Sagamore Hill for 3- and 4-year-old male pacers. Friday, the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker (two, $40,000 divisions), while Saturday offers the second round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series (to be drawn Tuesday).