Artists Rally, to the surprise of very few, won Saturday night's $49,400 final of Yonkers Raceway's Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-old colts and geldings
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With Ryan Anderson driving for trainer Mark Ford, Artists Rally--a winner in both of his series prelim events--outdrew his six rivals here. The 7-10 wagering choice had to work a bit to get around a reluctant early leader, Fox Valley Lector (Greg Grismore), after a :28.1 opening quarter-mile. An equally-timed second-quarter ensued before Palace Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) pulled from third, barely getting out in front of Lifesong (Larry Stalbaum).
Artists Rally took the gang past a 1:25.2 three-quarters, as early leader Fox Valley Lector was backing through the field. Lifesong was trying to sustain his wide bid in and out of the final turn, but Artists Rally had something in reserve.
He opened to two lengths at the wire, which he found in a life-best 1:54.3, certainly a snappy effort for a non-winners/restricted earnings series.
Enrymates Bring the Heat (Brent Holland) and Palace Cowboy finished 2-3, with Lifesong and Sir Sisu (Jim Pantaleano) grabbing the small change. Only Vegas (Jordan Stratton) and Fox Valley Lector were the back markers, while Stand By Cam came up ill.
"The way the draw played out, I thought I'd have the opportunity to control the race," Anderson said. "After he made an early break last week (final prelim), even though he came back to win, we made some changes. We took the earplugs out to try get his attention, and I think it helped.
"(Mark) gave me the chance to drive the horse, and I really appreciate it."
"You don't see too many horses who raced in the Breeders Crown and are eligible to the Hopeful," Ford said. "Since he only had one win (in 2008), he fit a lot of these types of series, and we though this was a good place for him.
"He's had a hard time staying with his business--he was only fair up in Toronto--and I figured he might be better suited (for Yonkers). I'm not saying he'll be a top colt, but we can move him along and see how it plays out."
For Artists Rally, a Real Artist colt owned by Martin Scharf or Lawrence, New York, he returned $3.40 for his fourth win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $5.60, with the triple a very popular $10 (three wagering choices in order).
The pair of series consolations, worth $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, were won by the Scharf-Ford-Anderson trio with My Gift To You ($4.50) in 1:55.4 and Rapid Centurian (Stratton, $2.80) in 1:57.
(Yonkers)