Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series continued Saturday with five $50,000 divisions comprising a wet and windy fourth round
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The first division was won by a down-the-road Real Nice (George Brennan). Leaving from post position No. 6, he was able to get around a breaking Trueys Legacy (Mark Lewis) before wading through fractions of :28, :56, 1:24 and 1:52.3.
Giddy Up Lucky (Eric Goodell), the 1-4 favourite, was a bit tardy leaving the gate. He tried to move to the lead coming to the half, only to be rebuffed by the winner. Real Nice went on to defeat pocket pursuer Lahaye (Jason Bartlett) by a length-and-a-quarter, with Malicious (Dave Miller), Mainland Key N (Tim Tetrick) and Giddy Up Lucky completing the payees.
For Real Nice, a six-year-old Real Artist gelding trained by Rich Banca for co-owners Beverly and Gary Paganelli and Anthony Scussel, he returned $12 (second choice) for his fifth win in eight seasonal efforts. The exacta paid $187.50, with the triple returning $692.
Saturday night's second division saw Foreign Officer (Tetrick) pick off 13-10 choice Go Go Solano (Bartlett) in 1:54.2 after a long, uncovered bid. Leaving outside his six rivals, Foreign Officer chased the leader (:28, :57, 1:26.2) from fourth, then made another move down the backside the second time.
He engaged "Solano" mid-stretch, then beat him by a half-length. Entrymates McCedes (Dan Dube) and McApulco (Yannick Gingras) finished three-four, with Keystone Rideau (Brennan) grabbing the final pay envelope.
For Foreign Officer, a four-year-old Western Ideal gelding trained by Tony Alagna for co-owners David Rovine, Melvin Hartman of Ottawa, Ont., Foreign Officer Partners and J L Benson Stables, he returned $7.90 (third choice) is now four-for-nine this season. The exacta paid $28.60, with the triple returning $44.80.
The third grouping saw the series debut of Sagamore Hill sweeper Urgent Action (Bartlett). He led every step (:28.2, :59.2, 1:27.4)....until the last couple, when 9-10 fave Atochia (Gingras) snapped him by a head in 1:55.2.
The latter, away last from post No. 5, wound up second-over behind Sharks Legacy (Brent Holland) before moving wide early. Erics Legend N (Tetrick), Sharks Legacy and Doubletrouble (Jim Pantaleano) rounded out the cashers.
For Atochia, a six-year-old Dragon Again gelding trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, he (coupled with Dymond Joe Mindale) returned $3.90 for his first win in four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $8.10, with the triple returning $26.20.
The evening's fourth get-together saw 6-5 favourite, pole-sitting Gallant Yankee (Tetrick), win in wire-to-wire fashion (:28.2, :56.3, 1:24.3, 1:52.1). He dealt with a pocket-sitting Lucky Bettor (Gingras) and a first-up Blatantly Good (Bartlett), before losing both by the three-quarters. After taking a two-and-a-half-length lead into the lane, Gallant Yankee was four lengths to the good at the wire. This Is Wyatt (Goodell) was the best of the rest, with Lucky Bettor, Legal Litigator (Miller) and Blatantly Good coming away with the minor spoils.
For Gallant Yankee, a five-year-old Western Hanover gelding trained by Mark Ford for owner James Snyder, he returned $4.50 and is now eight-for-13 this season. The exacta paid $23.40, with the triple returning $57.50.
The final Levy event surprised no one, with 3-10 people's choice Foiled Again (Gingras) both out-drawing and out-classing his foes while remaining the only perfect participant in this series.
The two-time defending series champ never had an anxious moment through intervals of :28.2, :56.2, 1:24.3 and 1:53. Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance) and Mr Massimo (Brennan) wound up in a dead-heat for second--three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner--with Classic Rock Nroll (Dube) and Blueridge Western (Bartlett) picking off the balance.
For Foiled Again, a seven-year-old Dragon Again gelding trained by Burke for co-owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, he (coupled with Versado) returned $2.60 for his fourth win in five '11 tries. The exactas paid $4 (Forensic Z Tam second) and $6.10 (Mr Masimo second) with the triples returning $10.80 ("Forensic" second) and $17 ("Massimo" second).
Saturday night's late Pick 4--complete with a $15,000 guaranteed pool--attracted $16,904 and resulted in a $1 payout of $17.30 (four winning favourites).
(Yonkers Raceway)