Three Older Pacers Impress on Saturday Night
On a day in which temperatures soared into the upper 60's at many racing venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region and Northeast, a trio of pacers appeared to thrive in the warmth at their respective ovals.
Midway through the Saturday night card at Yonkers Raceway in New York, Provocativeprince N (Jordan Stratton) notched his second straight win to start the campaign and his third tally in four local outings when he overcame a first over trip and wore down pacesetter Vegas Vacation (Jason Bartlett) to score by two lengths in 1:52.3.
A seven-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding trained by Peter Tritton for owner Harry Von Knoblauch, Provocativeprince N got away third, gradually angled out first over down the backside and wore down Vegas Vacation under confident handling. It was his second straight score and even in defeat he was impressive.
Midway through the Saturday night card at Yonkers Raceway in New York, Provocativeprince N (Jordan Stratton) notched his second straight win to start the campaign and his third tally in four local outings when he overcame a first over trip and wore down pacesetter Vegas Vacation (Jason Bartlett) to score by two lengths in 1:52.3.
A seven-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding trained by Peter Tritton for owner Harry Von Knoblauch, Provocativeprince N got away third, gradually angled out first over down the backside and wore down Vegas Vacation under confident handling. It was his second straight score and even in defeat he was impressive.
Provocativeprince N appears to be the second coming of Bit Of A Legend N, another talented Tritton trainee who emerged on the scene last spring by dominating the George Morton Levy Memorial Series. Bit Of A Legend N finished third in his seasonal debut in the $50,000 Open Handicap and along with Provocativeprince N appears to give Tritton a stellar one-two punch heading into the Levy series that gets under way on March 18 and continues through the $600,000 final on April 22.
Then in the Saturday finale, Blood Brother (Bartlett) benefited from a second over trip behind Make Some Luck down the backside and through the far turn, angled wide for the drive and drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:52, the fastest mile of the night.
A five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Richard Banca, Blood Brother ended a modest skid by notching his first win in five seasonal outings. Blood Brother had been a fixture in the Open Handicap and the Preferred and got a modest class relief on Saturday while prevailing in the Winners Over handicap, likely punching his ticket to the Levy series.
That same evening at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Alberto Contador N (Brett Miller) continued his newfound winning ways when he lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice to capture a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class by two lengths in 1:49.4.
A nine-year-old Bettor's Delight gelding trained by Darren Cassar, Alberto Contador N notched his second straight score and surpassed the $450,000 plateau in career earnings. He had enjoyed only modest success at Yonkers, but he has appreciated the class relief and change in scenery at the Big M.
Then in the Saturday finale, Blood Brother (Bartlett) benefited from a second over trip behind Make Some Luck down the backside and through the far turn, angled wide for the drive and drew clear in the lane to a three-length score in 1:52, the fastest mile of the night.
A five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Richard Banca, Blood Brother ended a modest skid by notching his first win in five seasonal outings. Blood Brother had been a fixture in the Open Handicap and the Preferred and got a modest class relief on Saturday while prevailing in the Winners Over handicap, likely punching his ticket to the Levy series.
That same evening at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Alberto Contador N (Brett Miller) continued his newfound winning ways when he lived up to his role as the 4-5 choice to capture a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class by two lengths in 1:49.4.
A nine-year-old Bettor's Delight gelding trained by Darren Cassar, Alberto Contador N notched his second straight score and surpassed the $450,000 plateau in career earnings. He had enjoyed only modest success at Yonkers, but he has appreciated the class relief and change in scenery at the Big M.
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