A Pop-Up Series for pacers that were non-winners of $20,000 in their last five starts began on Tuesday night (Sept. 28) at Yonkers Raceway with four $35,000 divisions.
Imstaynalive pulled a 21-1 upset in the first section after scoring by a head in 1:52.1 following a first-over journey. Rock The Devil was second after sitting in the pocket, and Raukapuka Ruler N, who led through fractions of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:23.3, had to settle for third.
Driver Pat Lachance also trains Imstaynalive, a six-year-old American Ideal stallion, for owners Lachance Racing Stable and Dan Mogridge. Imstaynalive, who paid $45.60 to win, now has 19 wins and earnings of $284,639. The exacta returned $205.50 and the trifecta was worth $582.00.
In the second flight, 1-9 favourite Pyro posted a clip of :27.4, :56 and 1:24, but Dancin Dragon tipped out of the two-hole late on the final bend and got up to prevail by a head in 1:52.3. Our Max Phactor N was the third-place finisher.
Dancin Dragon is a six-year-old Dragon Again gelding trained by Ed Hart for the ownership group of Randy Bendis and Pollack Racing LLC. Dancin Dragon, driven by Jordan Stratton, is now a 30-time winner from 97 appearances and he pushed his bankroll to $405,652. He returned $18.60 to win as the 8-1 second choice and was atop a $36.60 exacta and a $273.50 trifecta.
A pocket trip also worked for Bill Haley N in the third split. Mach Doro A, the 3-5 favourite, was in command at the :27.3 quarter, :56.4 half and 1:24.3 three-quarters, but Bill Haley N went on the attack just after three-quarters and was able to go by Mach Doro A in the stretch on his way to a 1-1/4 length decision in 1:52.1. Aflame Hanover was the runner-up and Mach Doro A faded to third.
Lance Hudson trains Bill Haley N, a seven-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven, for owner William Hartt. Bill Haley N has compiled a record of 17-8-10 from 79 trips behind the gate, and he has now pocketed $200,658. A 4-1 offering with Scott Zeron in the sulky, Bill Haley N paid $10.40 to win and keyed a $30.20 exacta and a $64.50 trifecta.
The last grouping saw Pretty Handsome click panels of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:24, but he was under siege by a first-over Bettor Memories before they got to three-quarters. Pretty Handsome and Bettor Memories continued to duel around the last turn and into the lane, but Bettor Memories stayed game on the rim and got the better of Pretty Handsome by three-quarter length in a 1:52.3 mile. Buddy Hill was the third-place finisher.
The victorious eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Phil Collura. Bettor Memories, with George Brennan in the bike, made his 40th appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now put away $805,207. The 9-5 second choice, he returned $5.90 to win. The exacta kicked back $14.80 and the trifecta was good for $93.50.
The Pop-Up Series continues with another leg next Tuesday (Oct. 5), and the top-eight money earners will advance to the $50,000 final.
Racing resumes at Yonkers on Wednesday (Sept. 29). The 10-race program begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).
(Yonkers Raceway)