King Cat rules at Yonkers; Sagamore Hill Series gets underway

Grinding his way to glory, King Cat Anvil N annexed Yonkers Raceway's featured $31,000 Open  Handicap Pace Saturday night.

The Strattons--driver Jordan and trainer Dave--team up as King Cat Anvil N was patient from post position four. Inside assignee Cheyenne Hollywood  (Cat Manzi) broke on the early lead, forcing both Up Front Peyton (Brent Holland) and 8-5 favorite Real Nice (Jason Bartlett) wide before that pair settled in first  and second.

"Peyton" led through two-furlong rest stops of :28.1 and 57.2, before King Cat Anvil N moved from fourth. He methodically marched toward the leader,  with Atochia (Greg Grismore) along for the tow.

Up Front Peyton found a 1:25.3 three-quarters, taking a tepid lead into the lane. King Cat Anvil N went by mid-stretch, then held off Atochia by a  length  in a season's-best 1:54. Up Front Peyton, Real Nice--missing the board for the first time in his last seven tries--and Hyperion Hanover (Jeff Gregory) grabbed the  small change.

For King Cat Anvil N, a 7-year-old Down Under Christian Cullen gelding owned by John Kiwczak, he returned $6.10 (second choice) for second win in  four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $49.40, with the triple returning $416.50.

Saturday's card also included seven--count 'em, seven---$12,500 divisions in the opening round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3 and 4 year olds.

The wine list of winners were...       

--Future Cruiser,4 (by Yankee Cruiser); owner Pinske Stables/trainer Richard Norman/driver Jeff Gregory; 1:56/$8.50;

--Internationalstyle,4 (by Life Sign); co-owners Burke, JJK Stbs,Weaver Bruscemi/trainer Ron Burke/driver Grismore; 1:54.4/$4.60;

--Blindsided,g,4 (by Real Artist); co-owners Jeffrey Mills & Dan Russo/trainer Virgil Morgan Jr./driver Grismore; 1:54.4/$2.30;

--Cry For Cash,g,4 (by Bettor's Delight); co-owners Critelli,Switala,Martin/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Bartlett; (match life-best) 1:55.4/$4.90;

--Winsmith Kirby,4 (by Badlands Hanover); owner Scott Woogen/trainer Gary Messenger/driver Greg Merton; (life-best) 1:57.1/$99.50;

--Blue Boy,g,4 (by Real Artist); owners Mack Racing Stables/trainer Julie Miller/driver Ryan Anderson; 1:54.2/$6.20;

--Cole Express,g,4 (by Cole Muffler); co-owners Palumbo-Duff Stb,Levit&Tritini Stb,Hartman/trainer Bruce Saunders/driver Manzi; 1:57.1/$20.60. (Yonkers)

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