Special Report point leader

April 29, 2007

If speed kills, lack of it kills anyone trying to come from behind, and such was the case for those going after free-for-all pacesetters Maltese Artist (1:53) and Special Report (1:53.2), as those Levy series stalwarts both benefitted from well-rated routes.

The penultimate prep performance (round 5 of 6) in Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series offered a pair of $50,000 divisions. Maltese Artist, fresh off his world-record performance in last week's Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park, had things all his own way, beginning with the draw.

Greg Grismore drove the 6-year-old Artiscape gelding to a handy, front-end victory in 1:53. Maltese Artist, who left from the pylons, was able to rate a :28.3 opening quarter-mile and soft :58.1 intermission.

He put away a bid from Mister Big, driven (in his Yonkers' debut) by Brett Miller, then opened up to a 2 1/2-length victory. JK Big Shot, a 25-1 shot with Tim Tetrick driving, left well and claimed second, with Mister Big third.

Mickey Burke trained Maltese Artist for co-owners Sylvia Burke, John Howard and James Koran.

"I was hoping to race him easy tonight," Grismore said. "He's been very sharp. I chased him a bit off the final turn and he responded. "Ronnie (Burke) said he came out (of the Battle) fine. He said he's even a better horse racing from off the pace, but he's drawn well in this series and he's proven he can leave the gate."

Maltese Artist returned $3.70 as the odds-on wagering favorite, his third win in four Levy series starts. It was also his third consecutive victory overall and fifth in 11 seasonal starts.

Levy series points leader Special Report won the night's first $50,000 division, holding off 20-1 outsider Pacific Renegade (Grismore) by a nose. He Wants It All (Eric Goodell) finished third as a 43-1 proposition.

Larry Stalbaum guided the 5-year-old gelding Special Report, owned by Hugo Iodice and traiend by Kim Asher, to his eighth win in 11 races this season.

Special Report, now with three wins and two seconds in five series starts, paid $6.10 as the second choice. Favored Jereme's Jet (Tony Morgan), sent postward at 2-5, tired in the pocket and wound up fith, behind Cheyenne Hollywood (Pat Lachance).

Like Maltese Artist, Special Report benefitted from a slow pace, getting to the quarter-mile in :27.3 and the half-mile 30 seconds later. Special Report led a $50.50 exacta, $535 triple and $5,511 superfecta. (Yonkers Raceway press release)

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