Despite nearly falling asleep at the wheel, favoured Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton, $3.70) prevailed Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway $45,000 Open Handicap Pace.
In play from a generous post position No. 5 (posts two through six were drawn), the Levy Series champ worked around Keystone Velocity (Dan Dube) before a pokey 28-second opening quarter-mile.
There were no goosebumps at the pedestrian :57.2 intermission or 1:25.4 three-quarters, with longshot B Js Guy (Brent Holland) vacating the three-hole.
Bit Of A Legend N owned a couple of lengths in and out of the final turn, and looked home...before he looked disinterested.
It was Keystone Velocity finding his best mojo late, but a bit too late, as the fave held by a desperate nose in 1:52.4. The Real One (Steve Smith) was a rallying third, with Dream Out Loud N (Tyler Buter) and B Js Guy rounding out the payees.
For Bit Of A Legend N, a seven-year-old son Down Under son of Bettors Delight owned by Harry von Knoblauch and trained by Peter Tritton, the win was his 12th in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $7.20, with the triple (three wagering choices in order) returning $20.40.
Reminder that Sunday matinees return tomorrow (October 30), with a 12:30 p.m. first post and the first seven (of 11) races as the 10-horse, mile-and-a-quarter, simulcast overseas trotting category.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)