by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — Ira Kristel’s Razzle Dazzle had the rail — and the backing of the betting public — in the $450,000 George Morton Levy Series Final at Yonkers this past Saturday, and parlayed them into a narrow but brilliant victory in the sport’s richest race this year, to date.

Mike Lizzi photo

Razzle Dazzle was a neck winner in the Levy final on his way to April Horse of the Month honors.

It also brought recognition as the April Horse of the Month from the U.S. Trotting Association.

In three April trips to the post in the Levy Series, written for the sport’s top older pacers, Razzle Dazzle and driver Brian Sears came away with as many victories, bouncing back from a disappointing seventh in his final start in March, also in a Levy preliminary.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Real Desire and the Big Towner mare Town Feather, trained by Mark Silva, has won four of his six starts this year and $301,250; in 62 career starts he has won 17 times and banked $913,351.

The Levy Final win was no walk in the park, however: Foiled Again, part of a powerful Ron Burke-trained entry with Annieswesterncard, stalked Razzle Dazzle throughout before falling a neck short at the finish.

“Winning the draw definitely dictated my strategy,” Sears said following the thrilling finish. “(Razzle Dazzle has) been tremendous throughout the series, and all the credit goes to Mark (Silva) for having him on his toes. I have all the respect for Foiled Again, but things worked out well for us tonight and we were able to beat him.”