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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway Saturday night offered penultimate preliminary round competition in its George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series competition.

A quintet of $50,000 events comprised the fourth round, with many of the usual names–save for the AWOL Atochia–adorning the marquee.

1st division–Three-time local driving champion Luc Ouellette, back here for the first time in nine years, made money in this business trip. Leaving from post position No. 4, he and odds-on Strand Hanover ($3.90) two-moved to a handy, length-and-a-half victory in 1:52 (equal halves of 56 seconds). Power of Tara N (George Brennan) skimmed the cones for second, with Dreamlands Art (Yannick Gingras) a pocket third

For Strand Hanover, a 6-year-old son of Modern Art trained by Tony Alagna for co-owners Uncirculated Stable & Brenda Selwyn Waxman, it was his fourth win (second in series) in 11 seasonal starts. The exacta paid |$33.80, with the triple returning $167.

2nd division–Fitz’s Z Tam (Brian Sears, $14), a winner deep along the cones a week ago, did his damage from second-over. He tracked Art Two D Two (Brennan), then went past that one and tiring favorite River Shark (Mark MacDonald) in 1:52.1. Nob Hill High (Jordan Stratton), after sitting in early, closed for second, with River Shark third.

For Fitz’s Z Tam, a 5-year-old Cole Muffler gelding trained by Tyler Raymer for co-owners Martin Scharf and Silva Stable, it was his third win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $36, with the triple returning $99.

3rd division–Odds-on Blatantly Good (Brennan, $2.20) retook from Dancin’ Yankee (Bartlett), then held that one at bay by a half-length (1:52) in a what turned into a match race. Roadside Delight (Pat Lachance) was third, beaten 4-3/4 lengths.

For Blatantly Good, an 8-year-old son of Albert Albert owned by Bamond Racing and trained by PJ Fraley, it was his third win (first series win) in 11 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $8.50, with the triple returning $53.

Mike Lizzi photo

Millionaire Real Nice won the 4th division of the Levy in 1:51.4 for driver Jason Bartlett.

4th division–Defending series champ Real Nice (Bartlett, $2.60) is the only 4-for-4 player in this series after a workman-like 1:51.4 effort. Leaving from post No. 4, he was three-wide early before fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:24.3. He whipped a solid, first-up Valentino (Cat Manzi) by a length-and-three-quarters, with Clear Vision (Gingras) third.

For Real Nice, a millionaire 7-year-old Real Artist gelding co-owned by Beverly & Gary Paganelli and Anthony Scussel and trained by Rich Banca, it was his fourth win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $29, the triple returned $112.50 and the superfecta (Rock to Glory [Sears]) paid $411.

5th division–Foiled Again (Gingras, $2.10) fooled no one in evening’s final series sojourn. In play from post No. 4, he controlled the combatants through intervals of :28, :56.2, 1:24.2 and 1:52. Foreign Officer (Stratton) chased from the pocket, beaten a non-threatening length-and-three-quarters. Art Z (Brett Miller) tried his luck first-up from third, and wound up third.

For Foiled Again, a thrice-millionaire–and twice series champ–8-year-old Dragon Again gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, it was his third (series) win in four ’12 tries. The exacta paid $7.80, with the triple returning $17.60.