Yonkers Raceway spiced up its final pre-hiatus program Saturday night with a $60,000 Invitational Pace
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A well-matched octet went postward, but the race turned out to be a two-speed number. Millionaire Won The West (Greg Grismore), whose well-traveled itinerary finally brought him to Westchester, was put in immediate play from post position No. 7.
He left hard, as did 6-5 favourite Four Trumps A (Larry Stalbaum) from the pole. Won The West made the lead before a 27.2 opening quarter-mile, then stepped out for a :56.3 intermission. Soon thereafter, King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) elected to move from third, a decision which would haunt the back markers.
Won The West won the three-quarters in 1:24.1, with Four Trumps A on his back and King Cat Anvil N pacing in place. That severely compromised the chances of both Wholly Louy (Stephane Bouchard) and second-choice Blue Boy (Jason Bartlett).
The leader remained the leader turning for home, with his pocket pursuer drifting and driving. Won The West tried to finish it off, but Four Trumps A grabbed him right on the line. The margin was a nose, and the mile--1:51.4--was a life-best and the fastest local effort this season. Blueridge Western (Jeff Gregory), J P Jackpot (Cat Manzi) and King Cat Anvil N rounded out the payees.
Mighty Young Joe (Stacy Chiodo), Wholly Louy and Blue Boy completed the order.
For Four Trumps A, a seven-year-old Down Under son of Trump Casino co-owned by (trainer) Kimberly Asher and Mike Sorentino Jr., he paid $4.50 for his fifth win in eight North American seasonal tries. The exacta paid $30.40, with the triple returning $343.50.
Saturday night's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace was won by inside assignee Tenant In Chief (Bartlett, $8.60), who prevailed in a three-way photo in 1:55.4.
As mentioned earlier, Yonkers is taking an early-June live racing break, as previously scheduled and approved by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. There is no live racing until Saturday night, June 6, featuring eliminations for both the Art Rooney and Lismore Paces.
(Yonkers Raceway)