Brian Sears' plan was simple...if they were going to beat him, they were going to have to pass him.
They did not.
Pole-setting Razzle Dazzle held off a stubborn Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $450,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. This was the 26th edition of the series, honouring the memory of the Harness Hall of Fame founder of Roosevelt Raceway.
Harness racing's richest event of the season to date put a bow on a six-week competition for the leading Free-For-Allers, and Razzle Dazzle -- the public choice at just above even-money -- made his intentions known very early.
He left, as did Versado (Andy Miller) from his immediate outside and two-time series champ Foiled Again from post No. 7. That one had more than enough room to drop in ahead of entrymate Annieswesterncard (Matt Kakaley), who had drawn post No. 3.
Razzle Dazzle found a :27-second opening quarter-mile, then rated a :29-second next interval (:56 half) before 'Annie' took out fourth. That one waited for Foiled Again to make his second move, which was a strong one.
Harness racing's all-time richest pacer threw down the gauntlet, prompting Razzle Dazzle with a :27.3 third quarter (1:23.3). Razzle Dazzle countered, taking a length and a quarter lead into the lane.
He needed a good bit of that advantage, as Foiled Again kept up those unwanted advances. Razzle Dazzle held sway, however, winning by a neck in 1:51.3. Versado ducked inside and was third -- beaten a length -- with Annieswesterncard and Casimir Jitterbug (Doug McNair) completing the cashers.
Rounding out the order were Dancin Yankee (Tim Tetrick), Second Wind N (Eric Goodell) and a done-in-by-the-draw Something For Doc (George Brennan). 'Doc,' the prelim rounds point-leader making his first start for trainer Mark Ford after his purchase last week, could not reach from the ever-popular eight-hole.
Razzle Dazzle, a six-year-old Real Desire gelding owned by Ira Kristel and trained by Mark Silva, returned $4.10 for his fourth win in six seasonal starts. The exacta (two wagering favourites) paid $6.40, the triple returned $16.20 and the superfecta ('Jitterbug' fourth for purposes of this wager) paid $94.
"Winning the draw definitely dictated my strategy," Sears said. "He's been tremendous throughout the series, and all the credit goes to Mark [Silva] for having him on his toes.
“I have all the respect for Foiled Again, but things worked out well for us tonight and we able to beat him."
The $100,000 series consolation was by 11-10 favourite Shoobees Place (Brennan, $4.30) in 1:52.1.
The 12-race card produced a total handle of $1,060,992, Yonkers' second seven-figure night of the season.
Feeling You Victorious In Blue Chip Matchmaker
It was the trip Tyler Buter wanted, so he and his escort graciously obliged.
Feeling You prevailed from the pocket Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $285,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.
The event, culminated a six-week series for the best pacing mares in training, had Feeling You in play from the pylons. She stung Camille (Yannick Gingras) -- part of the 11-10 favoured entry -- then released her rival just after a :28-second opening quarter-mile. All the while, double-millionairess Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), saddled with the eight-hole, had left hard for a seat fourth, behind Eighthunrdolarbill (Brian Sears).
After a :57-second intermission, Anndrovette was out and moving again. She amplified the action to the tune of a :27.3 third quarter (1:24.3), with Camille fending her off...for the moment.
Camille owned a length lead in and out of the final, but interlopers were coming. Anndrovette was relentless, while Feeling You awaited her close-up. The latter lass edged inward, whipping a tenacious Anndrovette by a half-length in 1:52.4. Camille faded to third -- photoed by Anndrovette -- with Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube) and Anndrovette's barn buddy, Krispy Apple (Matt Kakaley), grabbing the remainder.
(As the luck of the open draw would have it, Anndrovette and Levy finalist Something For Doc, both piled up more prelim points than any of their rivals, and both draw eight-holes for their respective finals.)
Last season's Matchmaker winner, Camille, entrymate Rocklamation (George Brennan), Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) and Eighthunrdolarbill rounded out the order.
Feeling You is a six-year-old daughter of Cambest bred by Alan Kirschenbaum and trained by Amber Buter for co-owners Buter the driver, Stephen Oldford and Oldford Farms. She returned $6.10 (second choice) for her sixth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $17, with the triple returning $23.40.
"She's as good now as at any time since she's been with us," Tyler Buter said. "She swells up when she gets a trip, and she did again tonight. To beat mares like Camille and Anndrovette is a big honour.
"Honestly, we so were concentrated on this series, I can't say what's next for her. She's earned some time off, then we can take a look."
A $75,000 series consolation was won by Handsoffmycookie (Tetrick, $8.20) in 1:53.3.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)