Yonkers, NY – Fresh off a five-win performance the previous evening, Jason Bartlett’s Saturday night (Jan. 12) saw him take down both of Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $44,000 Opens.

Bartlett did it with a pair of fours.

Jason Bartlett and Bellows Binge (#4) noses out Christen Me N in featured $44,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Saturday. Chris Brokate Photo.

Bellows Binge ($19.40), from post position four, closed from third-over in the weekly featured pace, snapping Christen Me N (Matt Kakaley) at the wire in 1:54.

Bettor’s Fire N (Ron Cushing) grabbed  third as the 62-1 rank outsider in a race that set up for the come-from-behind set when polester Run Oneover N (George Brennan) took no early prisoners. He stuffed 3-2 favorite Air Strike (Brent Holland) and Sicily (Jim Marohn Jr.) in behind, paying a :26.3 price for the privilege.

After a :56.3 intermission, Sicily was out and moving again, engaging Run Oneover N in and out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters.

Run Oneover N was about to wear out his welcome early in the lane as Christen Me N moved from second-over. He made the lead late, but could not stall Bellows Binge. The latter beat the former by a scant nose, while Aston Hill Dave (Tyler Buter) and Sicily chased home Bettor’s Fire N for the minors.

For fifth choice Bellow’s Binge, a now-5-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding owned and trained by Richard Banca, it was his first start in the Open/Open Handicap. The exacta paid $56.50, the triple returned $5,271 and the superfecta paid $14,357 (base $2 payout).

Bartlett completed the sweep of the two co-featured $44,000 Opens at Yonkers Saturday with Andy Ray. Chris Brokate Photo.

Bartlett and pocket–sitting fave Andy Ray ($4), from post four, stalked Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Dube) through intervals of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26.2, then eased past by a length in 1:55.4. Third went to closing Mostinterestingman (Troy Beyer), with Royal Bachelor (Marohn Jr.) and Thisguysonfire (Jordan Stratton) settling for the remainder.

For Andy Ray, a now-7-year-old Crazed gelding owned by Yinson Quezada and trained by Anette Lorentzon, his career cash went up and over a half-million dollars. The exacta paid $22.60, the triple returned $73.50 and the superfecta paid $426.

Props also to millionaires Melady’s Monet and Great Vintage, the trotter and pacer who put up career wins No. 53 and 48, respectively, during the Saturday card.