Millionaire Blueridge Western, in rein to Jason Bartlett, rolled from second-over en route to capturing the $33,000 winners-over feature at Yonkers Raceway
on Saturday night.
Jimmie Hanover (Dan Dube) and Southern Allie (Yannick Gingras) were on alert early, with Jimmie Hanover retaking right after the :27.3 opening quarter. He then rated a :57.3 intermission before Arts Ragin Jet (Jim Pantaleano) moved from fifth. Blueridge Western, leaving from post position six after an inside excused absence, hitched a ride on that one's back going toward the 1:26.2 three-quarters.
Jimmie Hanover clung to a short lead turning for home, but he was about to give up the ghost. Blueridge Western took over mid-stretch, winning by a length in 1:55.1. Southwind Tabor (Stephane Bouchard) found room late to grab second, with 62-1 Keystone Rideau (George Brennan), Southern Allie and Arts Ragin Jet completing the cashers.
For Blueridge Western, a five-year-old Allamerican Ingot gelding owned by Fran Azur and trained by Kevin McDermott, he returned $12.80 for his ninth win in 41 seasonal starts.
(Yonkers Raceway)