by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?”

Tom Berg phot

Rodeo Romeo was a 1:54 winner in the Sagamore Hill final.

In the case of Rodeo Romeo (Brian Sears, $2.50), try the winner’s circle, which he found with the greatest of ease Tuesday afternoon (March 29) after Yonkers Raceway’s $63,000 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series.

The Raceway’s annual testament to Teddy Roosevelt — richest local race of the season to date — was open to 3- and 4-year-old gentlemen who were non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through last Dec. 1.

Rodeo Romeo made short work of his foes here. In play at the outset from post position No. 2, he easily worked around pole-sitting Toni’s Affection (Scott Zeron), making the lead well before a :27.3 opening quarter-mile. From there (:56.4, 1:25.2, 1:54), no issues whatsoever.

Rodeo Romeo owned a 1-1/2 length lead entering the lane, then opened to 4-3/4 lengths at the wire. Toni’s Affection held second over a two-move J T (George Brennan), with lone 3-year-old Don’tcallmefrancis (Jason Bartlett) and Secret Delight (Matt Kakaley) settling for the remainder. Sports Bettor (Mark MacDonald), AM Magic Man (Dan Dube) and B Well (Andy Miller) rounded out the order.

For Rodeo Romeo, a 4-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover trained by Chris Ryder for co-owners Oompa’s Farm, Michael Day and Robert Mondillo, it was his third win in four seasonal/series starts. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $7.70, with the triple returning $32.60.

“He’s a good-gaited, handy horse,” Sears said. “They did give me a lot of respect up front and there wasn’t much to it.”

A $25,000 series consolation was won by BB’s Harley (Dube, $13.80) by open lengths in 1:55.2.