Saturday night found Yonkers Raceway hosting the fifth and final preliminary round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, consisting of five $50,000 divisions
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The opening event was won by the 2-5 Foreign Officer (Tim Tetrick). Leaving from post position No. 4, he stepped around pole-sitter Blueridge Western (Jason Bartlett), then held sway through "good" intervals of :26.4, :56.2, 1:24.2 and 1:53. He defeated a first-up Erics Legend N (George Brennan) by a length-and-a-half, with Dreamlands Art (Yannick Gingras), Shoobees Place (Dave Miller) and Blueridge Western completing the cashers.
For Foreign Officer, a four-year-old Western Ideal gelding trained by Tony Alagna for co-owners David Rovine, Melvin Hartman of Ottawa, Foreign Officer Partners and J L Benson Stables, he returned $2.90 and is now five-for-10 this season (three-for-five in this series). The exacta paid $20, with the triple returning $50.50
Saturday night's second division saw 11-10 choice River Shark (Tetrick) pick off Real Nice (Dan Dube) late in 1:52, matching the fastest local mile of the season. Leaving from post No. 2, River Shark watched from third as Real Nice rolled through fractions of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:23.2. Real Nice engaged him in and out of the final turn, eventually prevailing by a length-and-a-quarter.
Urgent Action (Bartlett), Doubletrouble (Jim Pantaleano) and Lucky Bettor (Miller) earned the minor awards.
For River Shark, a five-year-old Four Starzzz Shark gelding co-owned by (trainer) Mark Ford, VIP Internet Stables, Bob DiNozzo and El Lobo, he returned $4.20 for his fourth win in 14 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $13.40, with the triple returning $39.20 (three wagering choices).
The third division was won by a very sharp This Is Wyatt (Eric Goodell). Leaving from post No. 5, he went right up and over 8-5 fave Legal Litigator (Dube), who folded after fractions of :27.3 and :57. "Wyatt" opened up in and out of the 1:24.3 three-quarters, taking a three-length lead into the stretch. He drew off to win by four and a half lengths in 1:52.1. Classic Rock Nroll (Tetrick) chased him home, with Sharks Legacy (Brent Holland), Southern Allie (Miller) and Keystone Rideau (Brennan) rounding out the payees.
For This Is Wyatt, a four-year-old Astreos gelding co-owned by trainer Josh Green, Rovine and VIP Internet Stable, he returned $5.70 (second choice) for his seventh win in 10 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $23.60, with the triple returning $127.50.
The evening's fourth division went to pole-sitter--and pocket-sitter--Mr Massimo (Brennan), who stalked Gallant Yankee (Tetrick) through fractions of :28, :56.3, 1:24.2, then snapped him by a neck in 1:52 for yet another entry in the season's fastest local mile. Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance), Malicious (Miller) and McCedes (Gingras) away grabbed the remainder.
For Mr Massimo, a five-year-old Astreos gelding co-owned by Ken Tucci and Richard Williams and trained by Aaron Lambert, he returned $8.50 (second choice) for his fourth win in 14 '11 tries. the exacta paid $26.40, with the triple returning $51.50.
The final series prelim found Giddy Up Lucky (Goodell) and 11-10 favourite Blatantly Good (Bartlett) play leapfrog on the lead. The latter led to the lane (:27.4, :56.3 and 1:25), but the former ducked inside to get him in 1:52.3. Giddy Up Lucky won a length, with Atochia (Gingras), Valentino (Pantaleano) and Lahaye (Brennan) scraping up the morsels.
For Giddy Up Lucky, a six-year-old Camluck gelding trained by Green for co-owners Baron Racing and Rovine (a third co-ownership series win for him Saturday), he returned $6.20 (second choice) for his second win in five seasonal sojourns. The exacta paid $15.80, with the triple returning $29.40.
By the way, series points leader Foiled Again took the week off, and who can blame him? He looks for a third consecutive title when the $495,000 final of the Levy series goes next Saturday night, Apr. 30.
(Yonkers Raceway)