by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Odds-on Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton, $3.30) paid a price for the lead, then made his opponents pay the price for giving it to him Saturday night (Aug. 19), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Chris Brokate photo

Bit Of A Legend N captures the featured event at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday evening.

In the hunt early from assigned post position six, the 2016 George Levy Series winner took over from 21-1 shot Caviart Luca (George Brennan) just after a zippy :26.3 opening quarter-mile. A rated, :29.1 next substation with :55.4 half was going to make the people’s preference tough to catch.

Melmerby Beach (Greg Merton) and Mach It So (Brent Holland) tried it from first- and second-over, respectively, as Bit Of A Legend N found a 1:24.2 three-quarters. He widened to 2-1/4 lengths in and out of the final turn, then held Caviart Luca at bay. The margin was measured three-quarters of a length in 1:51.3. Bakersfield (Mark MacDonald) and Melmerby Beach hit the line together for third, with Mach It So settling for the final pay envelope.

For Bit Of A Legend N, an 8-year-old Down Under son of Bettor’s Delight owned by Harry von Knoblauch Stable and trained by Peter Tritton, it was his fifth win in 17 2017 tries. The exacta paid $33.50, with the triple returning $89.50 (Bakersfield third) and $92 (Melmerby Beach third).

Prior to the race, Tritton spoke of von Knoblauch, who passed away early this month at age 90. “Harry was a gentleman who enjoyed racing and not afraid to spend money to get good horses. His daughters want to keep the stable going, and I’m fortunate to train for them.”

Yonkers offers up the sixth of eight consecutive Sunday matinees (Aug. 20), with a first post of 12:30 p.m.