Saranac Blue Chip improved to two-for-two in the MGM Rewards Gents Pacing Series for three- and four-year-old males with a 1:54.2 victory in the last of four $20,000 splits of the second round on Tuesday night (March 15) at Yonkers Raceway.
Driven by George Brennan, Saranac Blue Chip led through stations of :28.1, :58.1, and 1:26 and was able to keep a first-over Rhodena Road at bay going to three-quarters and around the last turn. Saranac Blue Chip continued to dig in and show the way through the stretch, and he held sway over a fast-finishing Perfectboy Hanover to prevail by a neck. Barrywhite Hanover came in third from the pocket.
A four-year-old American Ideal gelding, Saranac Blue Chip is trained by Dan Morrissey for owner Leona Morrissey. This was his eighth win from 40 starts and he has now earned $115,485. The 1-2 favourite, Saranac Blue Chip paid $3.10 to win and was atop a $12.20 exacta and a $28.20 trifecta.
Back in the night's opening flight, Bet On Blake and Confidence Man hooked up in an early duel for the lead, with Confidence Man relenting and dropping back into the pocket after a 26.4 opening quarter. Bet On Blake would go on to hit the half in :56.4 and the three-quarters in 1:25.1, then opened up a big lead on the last turn and into the lane. He needed all that advantage, as Saulsbrook Hero rallied powerfully three-wide from last in the final quarter, only to come up a nostril short of Bet On Blake in a 1:54.1 mile. Select Friday grabbed third.
Dennis Laterza trains Bet On Blake, a four-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar, for owners Albert Sperling and Latz A Luck Stable. Bet On Blake is now a six-time winner from 35 appearances and he has pocketed $107,190. Sent the favourite at 6-5, Bet On Blake returned $4.60 to win and keyed a $29.40 exacta and a $135 trifecta. Jason Bartlett drove the winner.
The complexion of the second section changed on the first turn when leg one winner Phoenix Of Fluzzy (Brennan) broke stride while battling for the top spot with fellow opening-round victor Makin Some Noise. Makin Some Noise took advantage of Phoenix Of Fluzzy's miscue to take command and clicked panels of :28, :57.2, and 1:26. Meanwhile, High Baller, sent at odds of 19-1, would go first-over out of fourth racing to three-quarters and he made his way up into second on the last turn. High Baller was able to sustain his bid into the stretch, wore down Makin Some Noise in the closing strides and went on to the upset by three-quarters of a length over Makin Some Noise in 1:53.3. Bottle Rocket came in third.
High Baller, a four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous, is trained by Michael Spaccarelli Jr. for owners Matthew Morrison and Brian Gordon. High Baller now has a record of 4-3-6 from 29 trips behind the gate in his career and he has now put away $65,159. He paid $41 to win, the exacta kicked back $171.50 and the trifecta was worth $678. Matt Kakaley drove the winner.
Also pulling an upset was 5-1 Jet Ace and driver Joe Bongiorno in the third MGM Rewards Gents Pacing Series tilt. Jet Ace raced in the pocket behind Sports Section through opening-half markers of :28.1 and :57.2, then went two-wide on the way to the 1:25.3 three-quarters. Sports Section was able to keep Jet Ace at bay through the rest of the backstretch and the last turn, but Jet Ace forged his way by in the lane and went on to tally by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2. Bali Beach got by Sports Section to finish second.
The victorious four-year-old gelding by Jeremes Jet is trained by Cad Gregory for owners L & L Stables and Toby Rekoon. Jet Ace made his eighth appearance in the winner's circle in his 49th try and he pushed his bankroll to $76,111. He returned $12 to win and led a $34.80 exacta and a $97 trifecta.
The MGM Rewards Gents Pacing Series continues next Tuesday (March 22) with the third preliminary round.
On Wednesday night, three- and four-year-old fillies and mares will compete in the second leg of the MGM Rewards Ladies Pacing Series. Two $20,000 sections will go as races one and four on the 11-race program. Post time is 6:55 p.m. (EDT).
(Yonkers Raceway)