Yonkers Raceway's 2012 stakes season continued Tuesday night, with the opening round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series
The series, for three- and four-year-old colts and geldings who were non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through this past Dec. 1, offered an overflow eight, $12,500 divisions.
Ontario-sired pacers captured two of the tilts thanks to winning efforts by Cam B Zipper and Alexpanderthegreat.
Cam B Zipper, a four-year-old son of Cammibest-Kellycrombie, overcame a Post 7 hurdle to take home his assignment in 1:53.3 for the tandem of driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Michael Hall. The gelding, who is owned by Howard Taylor, Rojan Stables, L A Express Stable LLC and Allen Kaplan, won for the sixth time in his career while pushing his earnings over $235,000. He returned $5.40 to those players backing him to win.
Alexpanderthegreat, a four-year-old son of No Pan Intended-Western Wonder, halted the teletimer in 1:54 for trainer Erv Miller and driver Brent Holland. It was his second win of 2012, and the fifth lifetime tally for the OSS graduate. Owned by Tracy Brainard and the Ervin Miller Stable Inc of Florida, the pacer has stashed away earnings in excess of $80,000.
Tuesday night's other Sagamore Hill divisional winners were:
- Braden (by Arts Chip); owner Andrew Glassmeyer / trainer Josh Green / driver Jason Bartlett; 1:53.1/$2.30
- Upfront Ellijay Ed (by Dragon Again); owner Up Front Racing / trainer Mark Ford / driver Mark MacDonald; 1:54.1/$4.00
- Great Dragon (by Dragon Again); owner Joe Ricco, Jr./ trainer Lou Pena / driver George Brennan; 1:54.2/$27.20
- Sir Jonathan Z Tam (by American Ideal); co-owners (trainer/driver) Pat Lachance, Ira Rosenblum, Z Tam Stb; 1:54.2/$5.10
- Avenue Hanover (by Cams Card Shark); owner-trainer Mark Silva / driver Dan Dube; 1:53.3/$2.70
- Cruznwithdabigdog (by Yankee Cruiser); owner George Kehm / trainer Ron Burke / driver Jason Bartlett; 1:55.1/$2.80
The Raceway's five-night-per-week Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday) live schedule continues. First post for all programs remains at 7:10 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)