Grinding his way to glory, King Cat Anvil N annexed Yonkers Raceway's featured $31,000 Open Handicap Pace Saturday night
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The Strattons--driver Jordan and trainer Dave--teamed up as King Cat Anvil N was patient from post position No. 4. Inside assignee Cheyenne Hollywood (Cat Manzi) broke on the early lead, forcing both Up Front Peyton (Brent Holland) and 8-5 favourite Real Nice (Jason Bartlett) wide before that pair settled in first and second.
"Peyton" led through two-furlong rest stops of :28.1 and :57.2, before King Cat Anvil N moved from fourth. He methodically marched toward the leader, with Atochia (Greg Grismore) along for the tow.
Up Front Peyton found a 1:25.3 three-quarters, taking a tepid lead into the lane. King Cat Anvil N went by mid-stretch, then held off Atochia by a length in a season's-best 1:54. Up Front Peyton, Real Nice--missing the board for the first time in his last seven tries--and Hyperion Hanover (Jeff Gregory) grabbed the small change.
For King Cat Anvil N, a seven-year-old Down Under Christian Cullen gelding owned by John Kiwczak, he returned $6.10 (second choice) for second win in four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $49.40, with the triple returning $416.50.
Saturday's card also included seven $12,500 divisions in the opening round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for three and four-year-olds. The winners are listed below.
• Future Cruiser, 4 (by Yankee Cruiser); owner Pinske Stables/trainer Richard Norman/driver Jeff Gregory; 1:56/$8.50;
• Internationalstyle, 4 (by Life Sign); co-owners Sylvia Burke, JJK Stbs, Weaver Bruscemi/trainer Ron Burke/driver Grismore; 1:54.4/$4.60;
• Blindsided, g, 4 (by Real Artist); co-owners Jeffrey Mills & Dan Russo/trainer Virgil Morgan Jr./driver Grismore; 1:54.4/$2.30;
• Cry For Cash, g, 4 (by Bettors Delight); co-owners Joe Critelli, William Switala, James Martin/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Bartlett; (match life-best) 1:55.4/$4.90;
• Winsmith Kirby, 4 (by Badlands Hanover); owner Scott Woogen/trainer Gary Messenger/driver Greg Merton; (life-best) 1:57.1/$99.50;
• Blue Boy, g, 4 (by Real Artist); owners Mack Racing Stables/trainer Julie Miller/driver Ryan Anderson; 1:54.2/$6.20;
• Cole Express, g, 4 (by Cole Muffler); co-owners Palumbo-Duff Stb, Levit & Tritini Stb, Melvin Hartman/trainer Bruce Saunders/driver Manzi; 1:57.1/$20.60.
(Yonkers)