If speed kills, lack of it kills anyone trying to come from behind.

Such was the case for those going after Free-For-All pace-setters Maltese Artist and Special Report, as those series stalwarts both benefited from well-rated routes.

Maltese Artist, fresh off his world-record performance in last week’s Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park, had things all his own way, beginning with the draw.

Greg Grismore drove the 6-year-old Artiscape gelding to a handy, front-end victory in 1:53. Maltese Artist, who left from the pylons, was able to rate a 28.3 opening quarter-mile and soft .58.1 intermission.

He put away a bid from Mister Big, driven (in his Yonkers’ debut) by Brett Miller, then opened up to a 2 1/2-length victory. JK Big Shot, a 25-1 shot with Tim Tetrick driving, left well and claimed second, with Mister Big third.

True Force (Jim Meittinis) and Grin Some More (Ray Fisher Jr.) completed the cashers.

Mickey Burke trains Maltese Artist for co-owners Sylvia Burke, John Howard and James Koran.

“I was hoping to race him easy tonight,” Grismore said. “He’s been very sharp. I chased him a bit off the final turn and he responded.

“(Assistant trainer) Ronnie (Burke) said he came out (of the Battle) fine. He said he’s even a better horse racing from off the pace, but he’s drawn well in this series and he’s proven he can leave the gate.”

Maltese Artist returned $3.70 as the odds-on wagering favorite, his third win in four Levy series starts. It was also his third consecutive victory overall and fifth in 11 seasonal starts. His 1:49.4 effort in the Battle of Lake Erie was the fastest ever by an aged gelding over a half-mile oval.

With Grismore, Miller, Fisher and Jim Pantaleano all in attendance, Yonkers became Northfield East.

Levy series points leader Special Report won the night’s first $50,000 division, holding off 20-1 outsider Pacific Renegade (Grismore) by a nose in 1:53.2. He Wants It All (Eric Goodell) finished third as a 43-1 proposition.

Larry Stalbaum guided the 5-year-old gelding, owned by Hugo Iodice and trained by Kim Asher, to his eighth win in 11 races this season.

Special Report, now with three wins and two seconds in five series starts, paid $6.10 as the second choice. Favored Jereme’s Jet (Tony Morgan), sent postward at 2-5, tired in the pocket and wound up fifth, behind Cheyenne Hollywood (Pat Lachance).