by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Greg Merton may do the bulk of his entertaining in the Catskills, but his act plays in the big city as well.

Though not a downstate regular, Merton had his name above Yonkers Raceway’s marquee Tuesday night, winning his 3,000th career race with the handy Undersky Torpedo.

Tom Berg photo

Greg Merton won his 3,000th race behind Undersky Torpedo.

Leaving from post position No. 4 in the $12,000 pacing opener, the odds-on ($3.70) favorite went to the house, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in a season’s-best 1:55.1. The 8-year-old gelding Giant Skipper gelding is trained by Kirsten Proctor for co-owners Chad Kowal and Michael Howell.

“It’s funny how things work,” Merton said. “I had my son with me at Monticello today, and I finished second five times.

“It (3,000 wins) means a lot, because I know how much work went in it. Now I can concentrate on the next 3,000.”

The 36-year-old Merton, a native of East Meadow, N.Y., has more than $11.5 million in earnings in a career that began in 1989.

Sagamore Hill final set for Saturday

Yonkers Raceway’s $66,400 final of the Sagamore Hilll Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old colts and geldings is scheduled for Saturday night, April 10.

Woodstock Hanover (Stephane Bouchard, post 2), whose quarter-million dollars in lifetime earnings dwarf the competition, has been accorded the role of early favorite in the richest local race of the season to date. The finale goes as the 10th race.

The 4-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding, who won twice in three prelim races, is trained by Aaron Lambert for co-owners Glenn Ellis and Ken Tucci.

Giddy Up Delight (Jason Bartlett, post 7) was a perfect 3-for-3 during the trials, but that did not impress the judges in the open draw finale. Mr Rockford (Daniel Dube, post 6), like Woodstock Hanover, won two of his three series legs.

The field for the final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series, with declared drivers and morning line odds: 1-Riopelle (Jim Meittinis, 5-1); 2-Woodstock Hanover (Stephane Bouchard, 3-1); Mr Massimo (Corey Callahan, 10-1); 4-Dr C’s Z Tam (Patrick Lachance, 6-1); 5-Double Jack (Driver TBA, 6-1); 6-Mr Rockford (Daniel Dube, 5-1); 7-Giddy Up Delight (Jason Bartlett, 4-1); and 8-Eragon (Dube also listed, 10-1).

A $25,000 series consolation goes as the second race.

Saturday night’s card also includes five $50,000 divisions in the third round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series (races 5 through 9).