Digital Z Tam took full advantage of his assigned pole position Saturday night, going the distance to annex Yonkers Raceway's $31,000 Open Handicap Pace
.
With trainer Pat Lachance doung the honours, Digital Z Tam--fresh from a life-best 1:51.4 effort across the river a week ago--set sail through fractions of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25.
Johnny Walker (Jason Bartlett) was perched in the pocket, while Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis) was first-up. Tasmanian Daniel (Larry Stalbaum), he of the three wins in his last four starts, was caught wide leaving from his outside starting venue.
"Daniel" settled in sixth before grabbing a second-over trip behind "Heartbreaker," but Digital Z Tam owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.
He held the cavalry at bay, whipping Johnny Walker by a half-length in 1:54.1. Psilvuheartbreaker--photoed for second after a solid effort--Tasmanian Daniel and a locked-in-again 2-1 choice J P Jackpot (Pat Berry) completed the cashers. Horses one through six (Up Front Peyton) were separated by just two lengths at the wire.
For Digital Z Tam, a five-year-old Cambest gelding owned by MJGB Racing, he returned $8.30 (second choice) for his second consecutive win in five seasonal starts. The exacta (two inside assignees) paid $27.80, with the triple returning $210.
Though Jason Bartlett didn't win the feature, he did get his picture taken five times during the 11-race card, including thrice in series action (see below).
Saturday night also offered Round 1 of the Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-old colts and geldings. And the winners were:
• (dead-heat) Lifesong (by Life Sign); co-owners Judy Magie & Pine Creek Stables/trainer Brian Magie/driver Larry Stalbaum; 1:57.1 (DH)/$2.10; & (dead-heat) Fox Valley Lector, g (by Richess Hanover): owner G&B Stable of Illinois/trainer Jeff Smith/driver Bartlett; 1:57.1 (DH)/$4.10;
• Livitluvitdreamit (by Cams Card Shark); co-owners Wellwood Stb, Stephen Sadlon, Cortlandt Niit & Stake Your Claim Stb/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Bartlett; (life-best) 1:59.1/$3.20;
• Outa My Head (by Bettors Delight); co-owners (trainer Paul) Kelley Racing, Linwood Higgins & William Donovan/driver Jordan Stratton; (life-best) 1:58/$6.50;
• Stand By Cam, g (by Cammibest); owner-trainer Eli Scott Jr./driver Bartlett; (life-best) 1:57.4/$3.40;
• Sir Sisu (by McArdle); owner Mortberg Trust/trainer Donna Marshall/driver Jim Pantaleano; 1:59.1/$21.80.
(Yonkers)