by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Nowhere, not even in the fine print, does the word “handicap” appear, and as a sage of the sport once said, “Post position is just a starting point.”

That power of positive thinking figures to be the mantra of Yannick Gingras entering Saturday night’s (April 28) $455,000 final of Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, the Raceway’s signature free-for-all event.

Mike Lizzi photo

Yannick Gingras and Foiled Again drew the eight hole in the Levy final.

Gingras and Foiled Again needed better friends in the race office after 2011’s Pacer of the Year landed the ever-popular eight hole. Foiled Again, twice a series champion (2009 and 2010) and thrice a millionaire, finished third to Real Nice in last season’s renewal.

“It is what it is,” Gingras said. “It’s my job to get him the best trip I can.”

Foiled Again, an 8-year-old Real Artist gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, began his season with a second-place finish to Real Nice in the opening round of this series.

He then reeled off three consecutive victories — including a 1:51 effort March 31 which stood (before being matched by Valentino last week) — as the fastest local mile of the season. Foiled Again took last week off, and Saturday night goes after his 62nd career win in his 150th lifetime start.

He’s a Yonkers millionaire alone with any payday Saturday, entering with a career local resume of 23 wins in 31 starts and earnings of $977,535.

Foiled Again is coupled in the wagering with millionaire Atochia (Ron Pierce, post three), with the tandem accorded (by the author) the title of 6-5 morning line choice.

“(Foiled Again) has come back great, There’s a long season on his schedule, and the Levy is an important race,” Gingras said. “He’s had to overcome bad posts and bad trips before, so why wouldn’t I be confident?”

The 32-year-old Gingras, who first made his mark in Westchester a decade ago, won his 4,000th career race this past Sunday afternoon at Harrah’s Chester.

“I was hoping I would have drawn the rail with Foiled Again in the Levy, and that would have been my 4,000th win, but I’m very happy to have reached that number,” Gingras said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen (Saturday), but I wouldn’t trade my horse for anyone in the race.”

The complete lineup, with declared drivers and morning line odds, is as follows: 1-Blatantly Good (George Brennan, 8-1), 2-Art Z (Brett Miller, 6-1), 3-Atochia (Ron Pierce, 6-5, coupled with Foiled Again), 4-Fitz’s Z Tam (Brian Sears, 8-1), 5-Strand Hanover (Luc Ouellette, 10-1), 6-Nob Hill High (Jordan Stratton, 20-1), 7-Real Nice (Jason Bartlett, 9-5), and 8-Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras, 6-5, coupled with Atochia).

Note that the final is race nine on the 12-race card (approximate post 10 p.m.). There is also a $100,000 series consolation (eighth race) and a $50,000 Levy-eligible event (sixth race).

Saturday’s $297,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker (seventh race, approximate post 9:20 p.m.) for Open mares finds See You At Peelers leaving from the pylons.

The complete draw, with drivers and morning-line odds, is as folllows: 1-See You At Peelers (Brian Sears, 4-5), 2-Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras, 5-1, coupled with Ginger And Fred), 3-Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick, 3-1), 4-Fox Valley Sage (Cat Manzi, 30-1), 5-Ginger And Fred (Jason Bartlett, 5-1, coupled with Rocklamation), 6-Billmar Scooter (Eric Goodell, 20-1), 7-Chancey Lady (Andy Miller, 10-1), and 8-Western Silk (George Brennan, 4-1). Anndrovette and Chancey Lady go uncoupled due to bona fide separate ownership.

A $75,000 series consolation is carded as the fifth race.

The Levy and Matchmaker are the sport’s two richest North American races of the season to date.