Yonkers hosts third Levy leg
Hours after Nyquist secured his role as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby by winning the Florida Derby in emphatic fashion, Yonkers Raceway hosted four divisions of third leg of George Morton Levy series for Free-For-All pacers.
In the opening split, Santa Fe Beachboy (Jason Bartlett) brushed to command past the half and pulled away from Bettorever to score in 1:50.2, the fastest clocking in the series this spring. Santa Fe Beachboy had finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the first two legs, but joined the list of Levy leg winners with a sharp tally for trainer Richard Banca.
Bettorever raced well to secure the place spot, with longshot Lettucerockthem A third in his series debut. Foiled Again and Great Vintage dead-heated for fourth.
One race later Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) rallied from last early, split horses at the top of the lane and closed willingly late to overhaul Phil Your Boots and Limelight Beach in 1:51.2. Bit Of A Legend N has won three legs of the series and has virtually secured a berth in the $550,000 final with two legs remaining for trainer Peter Tritton.
Phil Your Boots finished second in a good try in his first outing in the series while drawing inside. PH Supercam wilted after a first over journey and is on the bubble for making the final or being relegated to the consolation.
The third division of the Levy third round featured reigning horse of the year, Wiggle It Jiggleit (Montrell Teague) who was made the 1-5 favorite in his series debut after winning a $60,000 Invitational at Dover Downs last month.
But Wiggle It Jiggleit and his youthful driver were treated rather rudely from the outset. Burke trainee All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) left alertly and cleared Bettor Rock On N to gain command before the quarter while Wiggle It Jiggleit settled far off the early lead.
All Bets Off led the way by the half and three-quarters without facing a hint of pressure, but Wiggle It Jiggleit raced fourth over past the half and then launched a three-wide bid down the backside and through the far turn. All Bets Off held a clear lead turning for home and held safe the belated bid of Wiggle It Jiggleit. The Burke trainee notched his first win in three series tries.
Then in the fourth division, Take It Back Terry (George Brennan) brushed to command from Mach It So (Tim Tetrick) before the quarter, led throughout and then held safe that one for a neck victory in 1:51.4.
Take It Back Terry joined Bit Of A Legend N as the only three-time series winners and has likely secured a berth in the lucrative final for a second straight year for Burke. Mach It So has now finished first once and second once in three legs and looks poised to make the final for trainer Jeff Bamond, Jr.
In the opening split, Santa Fe Beachboy (Jason Bartlett) brushed to command past the half and pulled away from Bettorever to score in 1:50.2, the fastest clocking in the series this spring. Santa Fe Beachboy had finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the first two legs, but joined the list of Levy leg winners with a sharp tally for trainer Richard Banca.
Bettorever raced well to secure the place spot, with longshot Lettucerockthem A third in his series debut. Foiled Again and Great Vintage dead-heated for fourth.
One race later Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) rallied from last early, split horses at the top of the lane and closed willingly late to overhaul Phil Your Boots and Limelight Beach in 1:51.2. Bit Of A Legend N has won three legs of the series and has virtually secured a berth in the $550,000 final with two legs remaining for trainer Peter Tritton.
Phil Your Boots finished second in a good try in his first outing in the series while drawing inside. PH Supercam wilted after a first over journey and is on the bubble for making the final or being relegated to the consolation.
The third division of the Levy third round featured reigning horse of the year, Wiggle It Jiggleit (Montrell Teague) who was made the 1-5 favorite in his series debut after winning a $60,000 Invitational at Dover Downs last month.
But Wiggle It Jiggleit and his youthful driver were treated rather rudely from the outset. Burke trainee All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) left alertly and cleared Bettor Rock On N to gain command before the quarter while Wiggle It Jiggleit settled far off the early lead.
All Bets Off led the way by the half and three-quarters without facing a hint of pressure, but Wiggle It Jiggleit raced fourth over past the half and then launched a three-wide bid down the backside and through the far turn. All Bets Off held a clear lead turning for home and held safe the belated bid of Wiggle It Jiggleit. The Burke trainee notched his first win in three series tries.
Then in the fourth division, Take It Back Terry (George Brennan) brushed to command from Mach It So (Tim Tetrick) before the quarter, led throughout and then held safe that one for a neck victory in 1:51.4.
Take It Back Terry joined Bit Of A Legend N as the only three-time series winners and has likely secured a berth in the lucrative final for a second straight year for Burke. Mach It So has now finished first once and second once in three legs and looks poised to make the final for trainer Jeff Bamond, Jr.
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