Yonkers, NY — Locally-debuting Sam’s A Champ A (Jim Marohn Jr., $7.60) and locally-needs-no-introduction Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Dube, $9) earned the glory Saturday night (March 9), winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $44,000 Open Handicaps.

For second choice Sam’s A Champ A, a 7-year-old Down it was his second win in a pair North American starts. Katy Gazzini photo.

Pole-assigned Sam’s a Champ A stalked 9-10 choice Bettor Memories (Jason Bartlett) though spongy intervals of :28, 57.2 and 1:25 in the week’s adult pace, then rolled right by. Sam’s A Champ A defeated a second-over Shnonucrzydiamnd A (Brent Holland) by three-quarters of a length in a life-best 1:52.4.

Bettor Memories gave it up and faded to third, with Nocturnal Bluechip (Dube) and I’marocnrollegend N (George Brennan) rounding out the payees.

For second choice Sam’s a Champ A, a 7-year-old Down Under Dawn Ofa New Day gelding owned and trained by Tahnee Camilleri, it was his second win in a pair North American starts. The exacta paid $79.50, the triple returned $162.50 and the superfecta paid $984.

The weekly marquee trot saw hard-knocking Smalltownthrowdown—from assigned post position No. 5—just last (:28.3, :58.4, 1:27.1, 1:55.4) after cutting the mile. Melady’s Monet (Jordan Stratton), as the 9-5 favorite, received his memo late, slightly gapping from second-up, then tallying to miss by a nose.

Blenheim (Joe Bongiorno), Mostinterestingman (Bartlett) and Buen Camino (Matt Kakaley) settled for the minor moolah.

For third choice Smalltownthrowdown, a 6-year-old Cash Hall gelding co-owned as Allard Racing by trainer Rene Allard, Bruce Soulsby, Yves Sarazin and VIP Internet Stable, it was his second win in six ’19 tries. The exacta paid $28.20, the triple returned $123.50 and the superfecta paid $306.50.

The season’s fastest local mile—1:51.3–was turned in by a down-the-road fave Anythingforlove A (Bongiorno, $4.30) in the $35,000, ninth-race pace. A subsequent victory by Gratian Hanover ($7.10) a race later gave the Bongiornos—driver Joe and trainer Jennifer—six wins from as many Westchester weekend starters.

Last but not last, it was the 25th career win for Smalltownthrowdown and No. 8,995 for Dube.