Ideal Jimmy looked like the easiest of winners on Saturday (April 13) at Yonkers Raceway, as he strolled to victory during the last preliminary leg of the George Morton Levy Series.
From post six, he aired by open lengths while under severe restraint through fractions of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:25.1. He downed Ballerat Boomerang by three-and-a-half lengths in a season's-best 1:52. Rockin Ron was third after missing four weeks, with pocket-tiring 7-5 choice Anythingthingforlove A and Somebaddude also earning appearance coin.
For second choice Ideal Jimmy, a six-year-old son homebred Western Ideal gelding owned by D R Van Witzenburg and trained by Erv Miller, it was his sixth win 13 tries this season (three-for-five in Levy). Brent Holland drove the $5.60 winner. The exacta paid $22.20, the triple returned $92 and the superfecta paid $160.
Here’re the remaining splits from the electronic pen to electronic paper compendium…
First division—In a race without a series-round winner to date, Bettor Memories rolled from second-over as 7-5 favourite Im Some Graduate wilted in the lane.
The pole-sitting fave took over from Dr J Hanover, who immediately vaulted over his six inside rivals. Im Some Graduate led through intervals of :26.2, :56 and 1:24. Control Tower offered some first-over heat, but the fractions should have worked for the leader.
The fractions did not…he wound up last. Meanwhile, Bettor Memories—from post position on four—went by, whipped a third-over 30-1 Mar Nien A by a length-and-a-quarter in a season’s-best 1:52. Dr J Hanover was an unlucky, trapped third, with Don Domingo N and Control Tower settling for the remainder.
For fourth choice Bettor Memories, a six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding owned by Gus Dovi and trained by Nifty Norman, it was his second win in eight starts this season (one-for-four in Levy). Jason Bartlett drove the $13.60 winner. The exacta paid $315, the triple returned $790 and the superfecta paid $29,362 (base $2 payout, 10-cent ticket worth $1,468.10).
Second division—Pole-starter The Downtown Bus, a week after being involved in an insane :53.3 half-mile, found the teletimer a bit more forgiving this time around.
After yielding to Always At My Place, he fronted the fray through splits of :27.4, 57.4 and 1:24.3 in progress to a season’s-best 1:52, defeating second-over Major Crocker A by a neck. Lyons Steel arrived late as the 17-10 choice for third with Imarocnrolllegend N—uncovered into a :26.4 third quarter—and Always At My Place coming away with the minors.
For The Downtown Bus, a four-year-old Mach Three gelding co-owned by (trainer) Jeff Gillis and Ellen Ott, he’s now won two races from five starts this season. Scott Zeron drove the $9.10 winner. The exacta paid $40.40, the triple returned $116 and the superfecta paid $464.
Third division—Odds-on Western Fame—from post four—stole a cheap second subsection in route to victory.
Off fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:24, he disposed of a gallant Rodeo Rock by a length-and-three-quarters in 1:51. That one tried to leave, was forced to settle third, then fought first over into a :54.3 back half. More The Better N, Pacing Major N and Endeavor picked off the small change.
For Western Fame, a six-year-old son of Western Ideal owned by Go Fast and B&I Stables, Stephen Klunowski & Gilbert Short and trained by Rene Allard, he’s now four-for-six this season (four-for-five in Levy). Dan Dube drove the $2.30 winner. The exacta paid $5.40, the triple (three wagering choices) returned $10 and the superfecta paid $35.40.
The George Morton Levy Memorial final is set for next Saturday night, Apr. 20 (approximate purse $630,000). An open draw for both the Blue Chip Matchmaker and Levy will take place Monday afternoon, Apr. 15.
Saturday night’s $44,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by the lass Weslynn Dancer in a season’s-best 1:54.2, also the fastest local trot mile of 2019. Matt Kakaley steered the $15.80 winner.
(with files from Yonkers Raceway)