Foiled Again won his 80th career race Saturday night.
Foiled Again, as in 10-year-old Foiled Again, sauntered around Yonkers Raceway in 1:51.
“That’s what he’s supposed to do,” said driver Yannick Gingras after Foiled Again’s fourth win in as many George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and season starts.
Leaving from post position No. 3 as the stronger half of a 1-20 entry, Foiled Again had to work to get around P H Supercam (Jason Bartlett). He did so before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile and found a :56.3 intermission. Bettors Edge (George Brennan), certified barn buddy of Foiled Again, was away third and A J Corbelli (Tim Tetrick) fourth.
Dancin Yankee (Ron Pierce) then moved from fifth, engaging Foiled Again toward a 1:24 three-quarters. Soon after, Bettors Edge -- who, as with Foiled Again, was three-for-three in this series entering the evening -- slipped out to race second-over.
However, Bettors Edge became very rough very quickly, soon jumping it off. Foiled Again owned a half-length lead entering the lane. His pesky rival wouldn’t go away, but wouldn’t go by, either. Foiled Again, with his escort offering only occasional reminders, won by a head in 1:51, the fastest local mile of the season. Third went to P H Supercam, beaten a half-length.
For Foiled Again, a Dragon Again gelding, the $25,000 payday increased his lifetime loot to $6,130,968 U.S. (80-for-202). Ron Burke trains and co-owns (as Burke Racing) with Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables. Foiled Again once again returned the legal-minimum $2.10. The exacta paid $5.90, with the triple returning $10.60.
“He’s just really getting his legs,” said Gingras. “Give the other horses credit, but they’re gonna have to do better to beat Foiled Again.
“I know he’s now guaranteed a place in the [April 26] final [as the prelim leader with 300 points], so he could get next week off. It’s up to Ronnie [Burke]. If he’s here, then I’m here.”
Saturday night’s other Levy winners were:
- Mach It So, g, 4 (by Mach Three); owner Bamond Racing/trainer PJ Fraley/driver Tetrick; 1:52.1/$4;
- Clear Vision, g, 9 (by Western Hanover); co-owners trainer Burke (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Panhellenic Stb, James Koran/driver Brennan; 1:52.1/$2.10 (POE).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)