“At the half, I knew I was in trouble.”
Such was the post-mortem of one Yannick Gingras after Foiled Again — despite everything seemingly going his way — faded to third Saturday night in Yonkers Raceway’s early-rain-impeded $567,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.
“Trouble” was of no consequence to P H Supercam (Jason Bartlett), the reformed claimer who scooted up the passing lane to win North America’s richest race of the season to date and the richest edition in this race’s history.
At the outset of the 27th Levy — honouring the Hall of Fame founder of Roosevelt Raceway — it was as expected. Foiled Again, eying a third series title, was in play from post position No. 3. He worked around pole-sitting Sapphire City (Eric Carlson), with P H Supercam — from post No. 2 — away third.
Meanwhile, Bettors Edge (George Brennan), coupled with Foiled Again as the 7-10 favoured entry, left enough from post No. 6 to act as a traffic impediment. A :27.2 opening quarter led to a spongy :56.2 intermission, and the sport’s richest-ever looked to be comfy.
Going toward the 1:24.4 three-quarters, Dancin Yankee (Ron Pierce) went wide, while Apprentice Hanover (Jody Jamieson) wound up from last.
Foiled Again owned a length and a quarter lead entering the lane, but this was not to be his finest hour.
P H Supercam rallied inside, while 'Apprentice' closed like a train outside. In the end, the shorter route was the better route, with 'Supercam' whipping Apprentice Hanover by a neck in 1:52.3. Foiled Again settled for third — beaten three-quarters of a length — with Sapphire City and Dancin Yankee grabbing the minor awards. Texican N (Brian Sears), Bettors Edge and Mach It So (Tim Tetrick) — coupled with the winner — completed the order.
Second choice P H Supercam, a seven-year-old Million Dollar Cam gelding owned by Bamond Racing and trained by PJ Fraley, returned $6.40 for his third win in a dozen seasonal starts. The exacta paid $49.20, with the triple returning $105.50.
“I love him,” said Bartlett, who won this race (ironically, with Foiled Again) in 2010. “He’s so quick, and once he saw the hole, he just exploded.
“It’s a horse race, and even if Foiled Again wasn’t at his best, mine was tremendous. It’s a big honour to win a race like this.”
As for the runner-up, “He was awesome,” said Jamieson. “I wish I had a better trip, but he proved himself to me, [trainer] Ben [Wallace] and everyone.”
A $100,000 series consolation was won by Clear Vision (Brennan, $2.10, part of entry) in 1:53.
Somwherovrarainbow Prevails In Matchmaker Final
It did rain Saturday night, but whether there was a rainbow afterward was uncertain.
What was not up for debate was Somwherovrarainbow (Brian Sears), who parlayed a pocket trip, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $371,400 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series.
The Raceway’s marquee event for Open mares saw the open draw shake out well for series points leader Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube). Leaving from post position No. 2, the 3-5 fave had minimal issues getting around pole-squatting Somwherovrarainbow.
It was soggy sub-stations of :27 and :55.4 before last season’s victress, Feeling You (Tyler Buter), was first to move from sixth. Then, Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick) slipped out from fourth while Yagonnakissmeornot found three-quarters in 1:23.4.
The lead was a length and a half entering the lane. However, the people’s preference was unable to close the sale. She bored out entering the lane, allowing Somwherovrarainbow more than ample acreage. The latter ducked in and edged past the former, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.3. Third went to a rallying Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett), with Anndrovette — those two coupled in the wagering — and Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras) completing the cashers. Feeling You, Summertime Lea (Matt Kakaley) — Rocklamation’s partner — and Angels Delight (George Brennan) rounded out the order.
Second choice Somwherovrarainbow, a four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere trained by Joe Holloway for co-owners Ted Gewertz and Diamond Creek Racing, returned $6.90 for her fourth win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $10.80, with the triple returning $27.80.
“You never quite know how the race is going to play out,” said Sears. “I thought Anndrovette might leave, but obviously I had no problem sitting a two-hole.
“She’s had some foot issues and Joe [Holloway] made a shoeing change. I was a bit concerned going around the first turn, but she was smooth as silk. She’s going to be a tough mare going forward.”
The victory in the sixth — and richest — Matchmaker makes Somwherovrarainbow harness racing’s newest millionairess ($1,138,009).
A $75,000 series consolation was won by Fashion Mystery (Eric Carlson, $43.80) in 1:55.4.
(Yonkers Raceway)