Blueridge Western (Jason Bartlett) made it three consecutive wins taking Yonkers Raceway's Saturday night $38,000 Open Handicap Pace
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Leaving from post position No. 5, the 11-10 favourite worked around Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance), assuming command just after the :27.1 opening quarter-mile. After a :56.4 intermission, eight-ball assignee Atochia (Yannick Gingras) made his second move, edging out from fifth.
That one chased the leader in and out of the 1:24.2 three-quarters, with Blueridge Western taking a length-and-a half lead into the lane.
He held sway by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Atochia fought the good fight, outgaming Forensic Z Tam for second, with Esprit De Kayjay A (Ryan Anderson) and Keystone Rideau (Dan Dube) coming away with the small change.
For Blueridge Western, a five-year-old Allamerican Ingot gelding owned by Fran Azur of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania and trained by Kevin McDermott, he returned $4.20 for his 10th win in 42 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $21.40, with the triple returning $119.50.
(Yonkers Raceway)