Dr J Hanover won the draw for the second-consecutive start and put his rivals to sleep, winning one of four $50,000 divisions for the second preliminary of the George Morton Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway Saturday, March 24.
Posting fractions of :27.4 and :57.3, Dr J Hanover faced pressure from another first-leg winner, Always at My Place, going first over. That one was disposed after three-quarters in 1:24.3, while Dr J Hanover swelled his lead to two lengths entering the lane.
The final margin was two-and-a-half lengths in 1:52.4. Chumlee Alost touch in the pocket, crossed the line second but was set down to fourth for cutting some cones. That placed Keystone Velocity second and Bit of a Legend N third.
“He surprised me,” Miller said. “After that third quarter, he just opened up.”
For Dr J Hanover, a five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned by Brad Grant, Robert Leblanc, Steven Wienick & Irwin Samelman and trained by Tony Alagna, it was his second win in three seasonal starts. Driven by Brett Miller, he paid $4.10.
Rockin Ron, from post position two, wanted no part of an early pocket. He took over from pole-sitting Luciano N, then—with another pedestrian early portion—held that rival at bay, going splits of :26.3, :57 and 1:24.4 before winning in 1:53.2.
The margin was three-quarters of a length. Mach It So, after last week’s win, was third.
For Rockin Ron, a six-year-old Real Desire co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, RTC and J&T Silva Stables, it was his second win in four seasonal starts. Driven by Yannick Gingras, he paid $2.30.
Saturday night’s third down-the-pike series winner was another wagering choice in Evenin of Pleasure. From post three, he wired the field after fractions of :26.2, :56.1 and 1:24 before winning in 1:53.1. A wide-closing Bettor Memories was second, with Another Daily Copy third and an out-the-mile Orillia Joe fourth.
For Evenin of Pleasure, a eight-year-old son of Dragon Again owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, it was his first win in a pair of starts this season. Driven by Joe Bongiorno, he paid $3.20.
The night’s only off-the-pace series winner, a second-over Western Fame, was also the only non-winning second-round favourite.
From post five, he parlayed a perfect tow behind Somewhere in L A to whip that one by a length in 1:53.1. Missile J, the favourite, did not retake from polester Caviart Luca after that one led through intervals of :27, 57.1 and 1:24.3.
For this race, the soft fractions caved, effectively burying Missile J. He finished third, beaten two lengths.
For third choice Western Fame, a five-year-old homebred son of Western Ideal owned by Brittany Farms and trained by Jimmy Takter, he’s now one for three this season. Driven by Mark MacDonald, he paid $11.00 to win.
Saturday’s $40,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by Mostinterestingman, a $6.00 winner driven by Jason Bartlett, in 1:56.2
The 12-race handle was $1,007,866, the Raceway’s first ‘non-French’ seven-figure wagering card of the season.
Monday, March 26 offers the $62,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three- and four-year-old fillies and mares.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)