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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (March 8) begin its annual tribute to Teddy Roosevelt, the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old gentlemen (non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through last Dec. 1).

Sean Hamrock photo

Arrow was a 1:54.3 winner for driver Matt Kakaley.

Six $20,000 divisions went postward, with Arrow (Matt Kakaley, $14.80) the lone “price” horse in the third division. Working out a second-over trip from post position No. 4, Arrow went up and over, whipping pacesetting Steve Said (Eric Carlson) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3.

Arrow, a 4-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven owned by Growth Opportunities LLC and trained by Tony Farina, is now three-for-seven this season. Last summer, he won here at 94-1.

Tuesday’s second Sagamore Hill division had pole-sitting Don’tcallmefrancis (Brian Sears, $5.30) sitting a loose pocket to favored Toni’s Affection (Scott Zeron), then picking him off by a neck in 1:53.2.

The 3-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding whipped his elders while caving nearly four seconds off his previous life-best. Nifty Norman trained the seasonal-debuting winner for Enzed Racing Stable.

The other chalky divisions were won by:

• Some Power,g,4 (by Somebeachsomewhere); owner P T Stable/trainer Rich Banca/driver Jason Bartlett; 1:53.3/$4.30
• Team Captain,g.4 (by Somebeachsomewhere); owner Joseph Martinelli Sr./trainer Tony O’Sullivan/driver Bartlett; life-best 1:53.1/$3.70
• Rodeo Romeo,4 (by Rocknroll Hanover); co-owners Oompa’s Farm, Robert Mondillo, Michael Day/trainer Chris Ryder/driver Sears; 1:53.3/$2.30
• J T,g,4 (by Badlands Hanover); co-owners (as Burke Racing) trainer Ron Burke/Weaver Bruscemi/driver George Brennan; 1:53.2/$3.30

The Raceway’s live season continues Thursday evening (first post 7:10 p.m.), with the newly-relocated $10,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool (program pages available at www.yonkersraceway.com).