Trainer Trond Smedshammer holds a strong hand heading into next week's John Brennan Trotting Series final, as he won two of the three $25,000 divisions of the last preliminary round that took place on Wednesday night (April 20) at Yonkers Raceway.
In the first split, Smedshammer steered Seventier to a 1:55.4 win. Seventier got around P L Oscar to take command before the :28.1 opening quarter and then backed down the tempo to :58.2 at the half and 1:27.2 at three-quarters. Seventier trotted away from the competition in a :28.2 last quarter, defeating The Irishman by 3-1/4 lengths. P L Oscar wound up third.
A four-year-old Chapter Seven gelding, Seventier is owned by Purple Haze Stables LLC. This was his ninth victory, and he has now earned $123,776. The 1-5 favourite, Seventier paid $2.70 to win and led a $51.50 exacta and a $225.50 trifecta.
Smedshammer's other victory came courtesy of Lady Ann NO in the third and final section. Lady Ann NO stepped to the point from post three, slowed the pace down to just :29.4, 1:00, and 1:29.3, and used a :28.1 final quarter to hold off pocket-sitter Sevenshadesofgrey by half a length. Top Me Off was third after a first-over try.
American Viking Racing Stable owns Lady Ann NO, a six-year-old Norwegian-bred Credit Winner mare. She has a record of 8-4-4 from 28 tries, and she has now put away $168,480. Lady Ann NO was the 4-5 choice and returned $3.70 to win. She also keyed a $21.00 exacta and a $69.00 trifecta.
While Smedshammer has a strong-looking duo for the final, they'll both have to deal with Hat Trick Marleau (Tyler Buter), who completed a three-for-three run through the prelims with a 1:54.3 triumph in tonight's second flight. Hat Trick Marleau led the way through fractions of :27.4, :56.4, and 1:25.3 and would hold off a two-wide bid by pocket-sitter B Nicking in the stretch to score by a neck. Bazillionaire checked in third.
Ricky Bucci trains and owns Hat Trick Marleau, a six-year-old gelded son of Crazed. Hat Trick Marleau made his 16th appearance in the winner's circle, has now banked $174,481, and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favourite. He was atop a $3.30 exacta and a $10.20 trifecta.
The John Brennan Trotting Series will wrap up next Wednesday (April 27) with the final and consolation.
Stakes action at Yonkers resumes on Monday night (April 25) with the $549,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series and $381,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series finals headlining the 12-race program. In addition to the big events on the track, the Empire Terrace Dining Room will be open Monday night. The price point will be $80 per person, plus tax and gratuity for the food. There will also be an open bar available for $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 914-457-2531 on Friday or Saturday. For more information outside those days, please reach out to the race office.
Yonkers is currently on a Monday-Friday live racing schedule, with post time at 6:55 p.m. (EDT).
(Yonkers Raceway)