by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway used the last day of March, Saturday (March 31) to feature the third round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.
Four, $50,000 events comprised the free-for-all foray.
First Division—After a pair of less-than-stellar series trips, Missile J (Tim Tetrick, $7.30) came to play. From post position three, he threw down the gauntlet (:27.3, :56 1:24.1, 1:52) en route to the fastest local mile of the season.
Missile J rebuffed an attempted early hostile takeover from 1-2 favorite Mach It So (Dave Miller), then defeated a good, first-up Bettor Memories (Kyle Husted) by a length. Caviart Luca was third, while Mach It So went the wrong way late, fading to sixth.
For second choice Missile J, a 5-year-old American Ideal gelding co-owned by Brian Carsey & John McGill and trained by Scott DiDomenico, it was his fourth win in seven seasonal starts (1-for-3 in series). The exacta paid $40.60, with the triple returning $123.
Second Division—Odds-on from post four, Dr. J Hanover (Brett Miller, $3.90) did what he did in the first two legs. He made an immediate—and ‘cheap’—lead, then again made his rivals pay (:28.3, :58, 1:26.0; 1:53.3).
Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) fought the good fight with a two-move second, but missed by a half-length. Another Daily Copy (Jason Bartlett) was a pylon-pocket third.
For Dr. J Hanover, a 5-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Brad Grant, Robert Leblanc, Steven Wienick & Irwin Samelman and trained by Tony Alagna, it was his third win in four seasonal starts (3-for-3 in series).
The exacta paid $8.30, the triple returned $29 and the superfecta (Mister Daytona N [Scott Zeron]) paid $134.
Third Division- Pole-sitting Western Fame (Mark MacDonald) snapped 4-5 fave Rockin’ Ron (Yannick Gingras) at the (1:52.4) wire. The latter led through intervals of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25, taking a couple of lengths into the lane.
However, he could not join Dr. J Hanover as a three-peater, faltering in a photo. Third went to Killer Martini (Bartlett), beaten four lengths.
Meanwhile, last season’s series winner, Keystone Velocity (Dan Dube) did not distinguished himself this night. The second choice was away a loose third, then backpedaled first-up as a never-factoring sixth.
For third choice Western Fame, a 5-year-old homebred son of Western Ideal owned by Brittany Farms and trained by Jimmy Takter, he’s 2-for-4 this season (2-for-3 in series).
The exacta paid $23.20, the triple returned $124 and the superfecta (89-1 outsider Rodeo Rock [Eric Goodell]) paid $806.
Fourth Division—Somewhere In L A (Stratton, $6.30) needed two moves to prevail. Away fourth from post six, he saw Franco Rayner N (Joe Bongiorno) give his backers an early (:27.3, :56.1) thrill.
Somewhere In L A went past that one before the 1:23.4 three-quarters, opening 2-1/2 lengths in in and out of the final turn. He whipped a troubled-trip Long Live Rock (Dube) by a length in 1:53, with Luciano N (Brent Holland) third.
Long Live Rock’s angst was caused in large part by 3-2 choice All Bets Off (Yannick Gingras). After getting away from the pole, he was in disarray second-over, forcing pursuer Long Live Rock wide very early. All Bets Off wound up seventh, beaten 10 lengths.
For second choice Somewhere In L A, a 7-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone and T L P & Gandolfo Stables and trained by Richard Banca, it was his third win in five seasonal starts (1-for-3 in series). The exacta paid $28, with triple returning $137.
Saturday night’s $40,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by a first-up Rubber Duck (Bongiorno, $12.40) in 1:56.1.
A reminder that there is no horse race wagering permitted in New York State Easter Sunday (April 1), including the Raceway and Empire City Bets.
- Levy and Matchmaker once again in Grand Circuit spotlight (Wednesday, March 28, 2018)
The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features four $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 30) in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (March 31) card at Yonkers will see four $50,000 divisions in the third round of the George Morton Levy series for open pacers.
- Dr J Hanover looks to stay perfect in Levy (Friday, March 30, 2018)
Brad Grant was focused on the future when he and his partners purchased Dr J Hanover for a sales-topping $280,000 at the 2017 Tattersalls January Select Mixed Sale. After two preliminary rounds of this year’s George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, the now is looking pretty good too.
- Jason Bartlett discusses Matchmaker, Levy drives (Friday, March 30, 2018)
As the leading driver at Yonkers Raceway in each of the past four seasons, including last year when horses he drove earned $10.4 million, driver Jason Bartlett finds himself in an unusual position three months into the 2018 season — in second place.