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

Yonkers, NY — March Awareness (George Brennan, $5.40, part of favored entry) tagged A Cool Million (Jordan Stratton) on the money Tuesday afternoon (April 28), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $66,500 final of the YR/SOA of New York Bonus Trotting Series.

Sean Hamrock photo

March Awareness was a nose winner for driver George Brennan.

Working out a second-over trip from post position No. 5, March Awareness chased A Cool Million as that one threw down intervals of :28, :57.3 and 1:25.4. Bentley Karan (Jason Bartlett) was sequestered second.

The leader’s stablemate/entrymate, Lucky Colby (Eric Carlson), was first-up, towing March Awareness in behind. A Cool Million owned a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane, but March Awareness was getting to him.

The latter stuck his tongue out late, winning by a short nose in a season’s-best 1:55.4. Third went to Bentley Karan, with Lucky Colby and Massive Talent (Andy Miller) rounding out the payees. Detroit Rapper (Jim Marohn Jr.), Dot Dot Dot Dash (Dan Dube) and ABC Crown Me Queen (Brian Sears) completed the order.

For March Awareness, a 5-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding co-owned as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, it was his fourth win in 10 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $14, with the triple returning $33.60.

“He had a good trip, a good mile, even though I moved him earlier in the turn,” Brennan said. “They added an inside head pole, and that definitely helped. It worked out very well.”

A $30,000 series consolation was won by Striker Ace (Tyler Buter, $48.60) in 1:57.4.