The much-anticipated match race between Hall of Fame driver Tim Tetrick and UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira took center stage on Tuesday at Yonkers Raceway.
Leaving from the rail, Sumthinbouthim (Tetrick) was able to secure an early lead and control the pace with a :28 first fraction. Coming through the lane the first time, Oliveira was able to guide Provocativeprincen inside of Tetrick, who made a slight miscue coming to the half in :56.2.
As the pair went up the backstretch, Oliveira let his pacer out a notch to open a two-length lead on their approach to the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1. The race looked to be locked up, but Tetrick had a little bit left in the tank as he guided Sumthinbouthim to the outside of Provocativeprincen at the top of the stretch. Oliveira quelled Tetrick’s big late bid through the stretch, holding him off to win by a neck.
The match race kicked off a big week of racing at Yonkers Raceway, highlighted by the $150,000 MGM Springfield Stakes on Friday (July 16). Racing continues throughout the week with a first post of 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers)