Odds-on favourite Joey the Czar ruled with an iron fist Saturday night for driver Jim Meittinis, winning Yonkers Raceway's week-delayed $49,700 final of the Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-old colts and geldings

Leaving from post position two, Joey The Czar watched early as Vintage Fenom worked around Fox Valley Valkari, grabbing command before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. Raging Cam, the 68-1 rank outsider, wedged into a three-hole. Joey the Czar then took out of fourth, finding the big chair before a :56.2 intermission. Raging Cam decided to make a second-move, which did nothing for the outer flow. Pan Grad was forced wide early at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.3.

Joey the Czar had a couple of lengths turning for home, and held his own real challenger, Vintage Fenom, at bay. Joey The Czar won by just over a length in 1:54.3 over Vintage Fenom and Pan Grad

The Art Major gelding, who is trained by Bruce Saunders for owner Kevin Gee, returned $3.70 for his second win in seven seasonal starts.

"He was awesome," Meittinis said. "Bruce (Saunders) did a tremendous job."

A $20,000, non-wagering series consolation was won by Totally Empressive and driver Jason Bartlett in 1:55.1. It was the first of Bartlett's seven visits to the winner's circle, including the non-bettor. He drove in all 14 of Saturday’s races.

Saturday night also began the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series, an event for three and four-year-old colts and geldings.

Giddy Up Delight, a four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding won the fastest of the $12,000 events, overcoming the eight-hole for driver Jason Bartlett in 1:55.1. Mark Ford trains the pacer for owner David Shea of Campbellville, ON.

The other Sagamore Hill divisions went to:

• Woodstock Hanover – Stephane Bouchard – 1:55.3
• Owens Marker – Jason Bartlett – 1:56.2
• Riopelle – Jim Meittinis – 1:55.2
• Double Jack – Jason Bartlett – 1:55.2

Saturday's $32,000 Open Handicap Pace - featuring many George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series eligibles - was won by favourite Handsome Harry and Jason Bartlett in 1:53.3. The Mark Ford trainee held off Wholly Louy by a length, with Dave Aint Here rounding out the top three finishers.

(Yonkers Raceway)