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 collected his first win in the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series on Saturday evening.

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.

Mike Lizzi photos

Dr J Hanover remains perfect in the series after another triumph on Saturday.

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.