Fresh off a five-win performance the previous evening, Jason Bartlett took down both of Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $44,000 Opens on Saturday, Jan. 12.
Bellows Binge—from post position four—closed from third over in the weekly featured pace, snapping Christen Me N at the wire in 1:54.
Bettors Fire N grabbed third as the 62-1 outsider in a race that set up for the come-from-behind set when polester Run Oneover N took no early prisoners. He stuffed 3-2 favourite Air Strike and Sicily in behind, paying a :26.3 price for the privilege.
After a :56.3 intermission, Sicily was out and moving again, engaging Run Oneover N in and out of a 1:24.4 three-quarters.
Rune Oneover N was about to wear out his welcome early in the lane as Christen Me N moved from second-over. He took the lead late but could not stall Bellow Binge. The latter whipped the former by a nose, while Aston Hill Dave and Sicily chased home Bettor’s Fire N for the minors.
For fifth-choice Bellows Binge, a five-year-old Bettors Delight gelding owned and trained by Richard Banca, it was his first start in the Open/Open Handicap. He paid $19.40 to win. The exacta paid $56.50, the triple returned $5,271 and the superfecta paid $14,357 (base $2 payout).
Bartlett and pocket–sitting fave Andy Ray—also from post four—stalked Smalltownthrowdown through intervals of :27.4, 57.3 and 1:26.2, then eased past by a length to win in 1:55.4. Third went to closing Mostinterestingman, with Royal Bachelor and Thisguysonfire settling for the remainder.
For Andy Ray, a seven-year-old Crazed gelding owned by Yinson Quezada and trained by Anette Lorentzon, his career cash went up and over a half-million dollars. He paid $4.00 to win. The exacta paid $22.60, the triple returned $73.50 and the superfecta paid $426.
Props also to millionaires Meladys Monet and Great Vintage, the trotter and pacer who posted wins No. 53 and 48, respectively, during the Saturday card.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)