The last two racing nights had Yonkers Raceway host eight series races -- four each in Friday's Blue Chip Matchmaker and Saturday's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. Of those eight winners, six were trained by Ron Burke.
After winning three of the four mare events, he duplicated that effort with the boys, going three-for-four in the Levy's fourth preliminary round.
The lads were racin' in the first division. Pole-sitting EZ Noah (Tim Tetrick) parked more than a valet, including I Found My Beach (Brent Holland), Elefctrofire (Brian Sears) and a three-wide Eighteen (Dan Dube). Early intervals of :26.2 and :54.1 screamed "closers' race." Defending series champ Atochia (Yannick Gingras) launched a three-wide bid by the 1:23.1 three-quarters and looked to be headed for his close-up. However, it was his entrymate, Clear Vision (George Brennan, $4.40), extricating himself from the cones and blowing by. Clear Vision, leaving from post position No. 6, won by four and a quarter widening lengths in 1:52. Atochia saved second over a tough EZ Noah, with Our Cullenscrown N (Jordan Stratton) fourth.
The result withstood a lengthy inquiry, after which the judges determined the winner had not impeded I Found My Beach when the former left the pylons. A placement would, by rule, have set down both parimutuel partners.
For Clear Vision, a seven-year-old Western Hanover gelding co-owned by by trainer Burke (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Panhellenic Stable and James Koran, it was his first win in four seasonal starts. The entry was the slight second choice behind Electrofire, who backpedaled to seventh. The exacta (EZ Noah second for this wager) paid $17.20, with the triple (Our Cullenscrown N third for this wager) returning $89.50.
The second division's prohibitive choice Annieswesterncard (Gingras, $2.40) took no prisoners from the pole. After dismissing his barn buddy Stonehouse Adam (Matt Kakaley), who tried to leave from the eight-hole, he used that one as an outer-tier pick (:26.4, :56). Second Wind N (Tetrick) went wide around 'Adam,' with series-debuting Silent Swing (Sears) pocketed. Annieswesterncard found three-quarters in 1:24.2, taking a length and three-quarter lead into the lane. He defeated Silent Swing by a length and a half in 1:51.4, with Here We Go Again (Brennan) third.
Annieswesterncard, a millionaire seven-year-old Western Hanover gelding co-owned by his trainer (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, M1 and Panhellenic Stables, is now five-for-nine this season (three-for-four in series). The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $3.30, with the triple returning $13.
For the second consecutive week, Foiled Again (Gingras, $2.30) had to work a bit to get around Lettucerocku A (Holland). Leaving from post No. 2, and after a :27-second opening quarter-mile, he rated his rivals into submission (:56.3, 1:24.4, 1:52.3). The final margin was a comfy length and a half over Lettucerocku A, with Shoobees Place (Brennan) third.
For Foiled Again, a nine-year-old Dragon Again gelding co-owned by his trainer (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, it was his second win in four seasonal/series starts. The exacta paid $18.60, with the triple returning $40.60. The resume of harness racing's all-time richest pacer now features 67 career wins (from 173 starts) and earnings of $4,698,040.
The Burke slam wasn't to be in the fourth division as pylon-patrolling, 1-2 choice Something For Doc (Gingras) -- the only perfect series participant after three rounds -- was duelled into defeat here. He retook from 55-1 Sapphire City (Holland) before a :26.4 opening quarter, then rated a :56.2 intermission before Rockincam (Eric Goodell) took out of third. A :26.4 third-quarter stare down (1:23.1) made both vulnerable late. Sapphire City closed inside, but 12-1 Razzle Dazzle (Sears, $27.20), leaving from post No. 6 (in one notch after a defection) and visible only from space early, roared down the outside to pick off the bombardier by a nose in 1:51.4. Something For Doc settled for third, beaten three-quarters of a length, with Rockincam winding up sixth.
For Razzle Dazzle, a six-year-old Real Desire gelding owned by Ira Kristel and trained by Mark Silva, it was his second win (as fifth choice) in four '13 tries (two-for-three in series). The exacta paid $876, with the triple returning $3,376.
Special Saturday props to millionaire Noble Falcon (Jason Bartlett, $2.80), who won the $23,000 second race pace for his 50th career victory (in start 246). The nine-year-old Nobleland Sam gelding is owned by Fran Azur and trained by Kevin McDermott.
After next week's fifth and final preliminary round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker (Friday) and Levy (Saturday), both finals ($285,000 Matchmaker and $450,000 Levy) -- and their respective consolations -- are scheduled for Saturday, April 27.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)