by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Odds-on favorite Visitor Parking entrenched himself when it counted, fighting back to win Saturday night’s (March 27) $38,800 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for three and four-year-old colts, horses, and geldings at Yonkers Raceway.

With Jim Marshall III driving for trainer Kevin McDermott, the four-year-old Keystone Raider gelding held off Raider Redux (Stephane Bouchard) by a neck in 1:56². Longshot Nick Charles (Billy Parker, Jr.) was a rallying third.

Now, for the particulars.

The field of eight was effectively reduced by one when Southwind Salem (Jim Marohn) broke before the start. Visitor Parking and 3-2 second choice Raider Redux, however, were both alert from the get-go.

Raider Redux cleared a short lead from post position number four before accommodating the fave, who two-moved from post number two. Four Starzzz J L (Greg Merton) settled in third.

A :27¹ opening quarter-mile led to a rated :30 next panel. Down the backside the second time, Visitor Parking then faced some unwanted company in the form of Newsam (Jeff Gregory).

The leader and the pursuer dropped the gloves to the tune of a :28⁴ third quarter, with Newsam appearing to stick his head in front.

However, as he’s done in this series, Newsam began to drift wide off the final turn, and Visitor Parking regained the lead. He took a length and a quarter advantage into the lane, but Raider Redux was ready to take his shot.

He did, but a resurgent Visitor Parking dug in when it counted — and really, when doesn’t it count? — getting home by a neck. Newsam faded to fourth, while Four Starzzz J L earned the final payday. Duke Of Palma (Mike Forte), the lone sophomore to make the final, It’s All Magic N (Jim Meittinis) and the misbehaving Southwind Salem rounded out the order.

Visitor Parking, who won his last two series preliminary starts, is co-owned by Pomtambo Stable and Robert Kowalski. His fourth win (to go with four seconds) in 10 seasonal starts saw his ’04 stash go past $50,000.

The winner paid $3.60, leading a $5.30 exacta, $76 triple and $156 superfecta.

Saturday night’s $12,000 Open Handicap Pace was handily taken by Falcon’s Blue Jean ($3.90). Gregory drove the down-the-road winner in 1:56⁴ for co-owners Fred and Anita Fialkow and trainer Julius Czermann, Jr.

Saturday’s pair of Sagamore Hill consolations, worth $15,000 and $7,000, respectively, went to Workof Art Hanover (Bouchard, 1:58², $4.60), and Perfect Fact (Marohn, 2:00³, $3.20).

Please note Yonkers Raceway’s amended live harness schedule. First post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 7:40 p.m., with free admission offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, while afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.