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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s annual tribute to Teddy Roosevelt — the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old males — wrapped up Tuesday night (April 2). At $67,200, it was the Raceway’s richest event of the season to date.

That fun factoid was good news for Pancetta (Brian Sears), who sat an antsy pocket, then rolled by One Through Ten (David Miller) en route to a 1:53.1 victory.

Mike Lizzi photo

Pancetta was a 1:53.1 winner for driver Brian Sears.

Involved early from post position No. 3, Pancetta was able to avoid an early break of pole-resident Hope Blue Chip (Larry Stalbaum) and sequester in behind even money favorite One Through Ten.

That one, the only perfect (3-for-3) participant in the prelims, found a :28.2 quarter-mile and :57.3 intermission. May Day (Jason Bartlett) was a tight third, while Sly Ruler (Eric Goodell) tried it first-up.

One Through Ten dismissed that foe right around the 1:26 three-quarters, but Pancetta was all dressed up with someplace to go. He extricated himself from the pocket early to go after the leader.

One Through Ten was a length to the good turning for home, but Pancetta negated that margin in a hurry. He took aim and took off, widening to 2-1/2 lengths (:26.4 individual final quarter) in a season’s-best effort. Third went to May Day, who was beaten 7-1/2 lengths, while Windsun Cointreau (Dan Dube) — coupled with Hope Blue Chip — and Sly Ruler completed the cashers.

Hope Blue Chip, Casimir Longshot (Mark MacDonald) and Trip Hanover (George Brennan) rounded out the order.

“Getting an inside draw helped, and sitting behind Dave’s horse (One Through Ten) was the perfect trip,” said Sears — who also won Monday night’s final of the Petticoat Pacing Series with odds-on Fast And Fiesty. “This horse has a tremendous turn of foot. He’s been very good throughout the series (two wins, two seconds), especially tonight.”

Pancetta, a 4-year-old son of No Pan Intended-California co-owned by Richard Morita and David Yamada and trained by Brandon Todd, returned $5.10 (second choice) for his third win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $8.60, the triple returned $31.20 and the superfecta paid $64.

A $25,000 series consolation was won by A Bettor World (Brennan, $5.20) in 1:55.2.

Tuesday’s card also included a win-at-first-asking by Bakken (Brent Holland, $6.80). The 3-year-old No Pan Intended gelding won the $15,000 fifth race pace in 1:56.4.