Saturday, March 17 offered a quintet of $50,000 divisions of Free-for-Allers in the opening round of Yonkers Raceway’s George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.
From post position two, season-debuting Mach It So threw down an early series gauntlet, retaking from Chumlee A progressing to a handy win in the opening division in 1:53.3. Chumlee A chased, beaten a length-and-three-quarters, with pole-sitting Bettor Memories a three-hole third.
For Mach It So, an eight-year-old Mach Tree gelding owned by Bamond Racing trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr., it was a 41st career victory as he nears $2.5 million in career earnings. Driven by Tim Tetrick, he paid $4.00 to win.
Always at My Place won the second division going first over in 1:54. From post No. 2, he engaged last season’s series winner, Keystone Velocity, after intervals of :27.2; :56.4 and 1:24.3.
Always at My Place forged by late, beating a pylon-skimming Mister Daytona N by a head. Christen Me N, angling from the pocket as Keystone Velocity tired, was third, beaten a neck.
As for 3-2 choice Waikiki Beach A, he was never involved, finishing last of seven beaten nearly 14 lengths.
For third choice Always at My Place, a seven-year-old Always A Virgin gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Phil Collura, he, too, made a successful debut. Driven by George Brennan, he paid $12.60 to win.
Rail-starter Dr J Hanover took one step forward and the rest of the field deferred, winning by a length-and-a-quarter in division three in 1:55. Somewhere in L A was a first-up second and favourite All Bets Off a loose-pocket third.
For second choice Dr. J Hanover, a five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Brad Grant, Robert Leblanc, Steven Wienick & Irwin Samelman and trained by Tony Alagna, it was his first win in a pair of seasonal starts. Brett Miller steered the $6.30 winner.
Odds-on Rockin Ron—from post four—rebounded from a poor effort in his final pre-series overnight event, winning division four in 1:53. Evenin of Pleasure chased the winner, beaten three-quarters of a length. Western Dynasty sat a three-hole and pocked off the rest.
For Rockin’ Ron, a six-year-old Real Desire co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, RTC and J&T Silva Stables, it was his first win in three starts this season. Driven by Yannick Gingras, he paid $2.90 to win.
Working out a second-over trip behind 1-2 favourite Missile J, Bit Of A Legend N won the fifth division on debut by a neck in 1:53.3. The 2016 Levy champ rolled past Missile J, who held second, in the stretch. Long Live Rock rallied for third.
Bit of a Legend N (Stratton, $21.60) seemed to be minding his own affairs in his ’18 purse debut, when things worked out quite well for him. From post three, the 2016 Levy champ worked out a second-over trip behind 1-2 fave Missile J (Tetrick). He then rolled over his tow, winning by a neck in 1:53.3. Long Live Rock (Dube) rallied for third.
Great Vintage, after fractions of :26.3, :56.4 and 1:25, led to the lane before fading to fifth.
For fourth choice Bit Of A Legend N, a nine-year-old down-under son of Bettor’s Delight owned by Von Knoblauch Stable and trained by Peter Tritton, it was his 42nd career win, propelling him to $1.93-million in earnings. Jordan Stratton sat behind the $21.60 winner.
Sunday racing is back tomorrow, March 18, with first post at 11:45 AM.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)