Tritton Trainees Could Have Another Banner Year
Last spring Bit Of A Legend N catapulted trainer Peter Tritton into the limelight by winning all five legs and then the $600,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Series for ages pacers and this season the conditioner could head into the upcoming Levy with a genuine one-two punch thanks to another talented pacer from down under.
Last Friday evening at Yonkers Raceway in New York, Provocativeprince N (Stratton) prevailed in his seasonal debut in 1:52.3 despite a long, first over journey in a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class for older pacers. It was the second win in three starts for the Tritton trainee and both occurred in handy fashion. But it might have been his third-place finish last December 10 against a similar group that really impressed onlookers the most.
After rallying second over to score in 1:54 in his debut for Tritton - he was officially serving a 60-day suspension and the horses raced in Agostino Abbatiello's name - Provocativeprince N drew post eight for his next outing. Away eighth and last Provocativeprince N rallied fourth over into a 55 flat back half to finish third, beaten less than three lengths in 1:53. In actuality, Provocativeprince N made up 10 lengths in the last half mile, meaning he paced his back half in 53 flat, an exceptional clocking anywhere let alone the half-mile oval at Yonkers.
Last Friday evening at Yonkers Raceway in New York, Provocativeprince N (Stratton) prevailed in his seasonal debut in 1:52.3 despite a long, first over journey in a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class for older pacers. It was the second win in three starts for the Tritton trainee and both occurred in handy fashion. But it might have been his third-place finish last December 10 against a similar group that really impressed onlookers the most.
After rallying second over to score in 1:54 in his debut for Tritton - he was officially serving a 60-day suspension and the horses raced in Agostino Abbatiello's name - Provocativeprince N drew post eight for his next outing. Away eighth and last Provocativeprince N rallied fourth over into a 55 flat back half to finish third, beaten less than three lengths in 1:53. In actuality, Provocativeprince N made up 10 lengths in the last half mile, meaning he paced his back half in 53 flat, an exceptional clocking anywhere let alone the half-mile oval at Yonkers.
Then after a brief respite and one qualifier, Provocativeprince N returned to the scene last Friday evening and won handily in 1:52.3 as the 4-5 favorite. This Saturday he will start from post two in a tougher non-winners of $25,001 last five starts class, but Provocativeprince N will likely join Bit Of A Legend N in the Levy series next month. The Levy is slated to get under way on Saturday, March 18 and continue through to the $500,000 final and $100,000 consolation on Saturday, April 22.
Speaking of Bit Of A Legend N, the Tritton wonder from down under will make his seasonal debut this Saturday in the $50,000 Open Handicap. Despite being idle for three months and finishing third in his lone qualifier this past Saturday, Bit Of A Legend N was assigned post position eight against the likes of First Class Horse, Sports Bettor, Lucan Hanover, Long Live Rock, Caviart Luca, Soto and Guantanamo Bay, mild upset winner of last week's Open in 1:52.3.
This coming Saturday afternoon, Laurel Park will host its annual "Winter Racing Carnival" which will feature six stakes worth close to $1 million in total purses. Onlookers watching and wagering on Laurel this weekend may notice that both the Grade II, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie for fillies and mares and the Grade III, $250,000 General George for older males and the four supporting stakes may be run under warmer conditions that will appear more springlike than befitting of a winter carnival.
In addition to the Barbara Fritchie and General George, three-year-old colts will take center stage in the Miracle Wood Stakes and three-year-old fillies will be on display in the Wide Country, while older fillies and mares who prefer a route to a sprint will clash in the latest renewal of the Maryland Racing Media Stakes at one-mile and one-sixteenth as their male counterparts compete in the John B. Campbell Handicap at nine furlongs on the main track.
Speaking of Bit Of A Legend N, the Tritton wonder from down under will make his seasonal debut this Saturday in the $50,000 Open Handicap. Despite being idle for three months and finishing third in his lone qualifier this past Saturday, Bit Of A Legend N was assigned post position eight against the likes of First Class Horse, Sports Bettor, Lucan Hanover, Long Live Rock, Caviart Luca, Soto and Guantanamo Bay, mild upset winner of last week's Open in 1:52.3.
This coming Saturday afternoon, Laurel Park will host its annual "Winter Racing Carnival" which will feature six stakes worth close to $1 million in total purses. Onlookers watching and wagering on Laurel this weekend may notice that both the Grade II, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie for fillies and mares and the Grade III, $250,000 General George for older males and the four supporting stakes may be run under warmer conditions that will appear more springlike than befitting of a winter carnival.
In addition to the Barbara Fritchie and General George, three-year-old colts will take center stage in the Miracle Wood Stakes and three-year-old fillies will be on display in the Wide Country, while older fillies and mares who prefer a route to a sprint will clash in the latest renewal of the Maryland Racing Media Stakes at one-mile and one-sixteenth as their male counterparts compete in the John B. Campbell Handicap at nine furlongs on the main track.
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