by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — With a win in Saturday’s (April 30) $495,000 George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series final at Yonkers Raceway, which would give him three Levy crowns in a row, Foiled Again will add to his legacy as a half-mile-track extraordinaire.

Since joining the stable of trainer Ron Burke in July 2008, the now 7-year-old gelding has won 21 of 30 races on half-mile ovals, including his seven most recent starts, and finished second or third on eight occasions. He has earned $1.26 million on half-mile tracks.

Lifetime on half-mile tracks, including starts prior to joining Burke’s stable, Foiled Again has earned $1.31 million. According to U.S. Trotting Association statistics, no horse since 1991 (the time at which the USTA began keeping records on a searchable database) has earned more money on half-mile tracks. Riyadh, who won the 1995 Levy, is No. 2 on the list with $1.17 million. Maltese Artist, who captured the 2007 Levy, is third at $1.05 million.

Mike Lizzi photo

Foiled Again has won 21 times on a half-mile track for the Burke Stable, with $1.26 million in earnings.

And, if not already evidenced by his Levy championships in 2009 and 2010, he loves Yonkers Raceway. Foiled Again enters this year’s Levy final with 15 wins in 19 lifetime races at Yonkers. He has finished second on three occasions and third once. He has banked $797,000 at Yonkers.

In his career as a whole, Foiled Again has won 48 of 122 races and earned $2.12 million. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables.

“We say Foiled can make the case as one of the better half-milers of at least the last two decades,” said Burke, who also trains Won The West, the two-time defending older male pacer of the year. “Both him and West, this year is a chance for them to define their legacies. What they do this year is probably going to cement where you put them among the all-time pacers.”

For the record, Won The West, who was not entered in the Levy series, has earned $3.48 million in his career, which ranks No. 4 in history, behind only Gallo Blue Chip ($4.26 million), Mister Big ($4 million) and Eternal Camnation ($3.74 million).

Foiled Again, with regular driver Yannick Gingras, will start the Levy final from post six and is the 6-5 favorite in the morning line. He won his first four legs in the series and sat out last week’s fifth round because he was guaranteed a spot in the final.

“It’s funny. He hasn’t been beaten yet (in the series), but he’s had the luck of the draw both in terms of competition and his post positions,” Burke said. “It’s hard to get a read on him. Basically, he’s had four training miles for money. He’s not been stretched out yet. I just hope he’s sharp enough. Yannick said he called on him a little bit last time and he had plenty of pace, so I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

Burke was unconcerned about starting from post six.

“I don’t mind the spot he drew,” he said. “I think it’s an all right place. It’s probably going to force him to race from off the pace, and I’ve always thought he’s better there anyhow.”

With a major stakes schedule remaining for Foiled Again, the trainer was happy to get last week’s time off.

“I like giving him the week off because after this he’s got to race about four more weeks in a row,” Burke said. “For a horse like him, his whole year isn’t this series. He’s got to go on. We plan to show up and race him at any major race there is.”

Foiled Again, who was second in his first race of this year prior to going 4-for-4 in the Levy, will see seven rivals in the Levy final. This Is Wyatt, who got post No. 1, and Foreign Officer, who got post seven, are 3-1. Foiled Again’s entrymate, Southern Allie, got post two.

“I like that spot for (Southern Allie) because if the race gets totally crazy, he’s probably the best true closer out of the whole bunch,” Burke said. “I think we have a good chance to pick off some horses late.”