American Lane, who gets his mail sent to the eight-hole, once again made his appointed rounds Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's featured $40,000 Open Handicap Trot. In the process, he became harness racing's newest millionaire
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With Cat Manzi escorting for trainer Carl Cito Jr., American Lane--as the 3-2 favourite--was in play early his assigned eight-hole. He stepped around pole-sitting Stunt Man Hall (Pat Lachance) before a :28.4 opening quarter-mile. He rated a :59.2 intermission and 1:28.3 while dealing with the unwanted advanced from a first-over Grain Of Truth (Steve Smith).
American Lane had a length-and-a-quarter lead turning for home, then held sway. He defeated the stubborn Grain Of Truth by a length in 1:57.4. Rushmore Hanover (Brent Holland), with Galleons Assassin (birthday boy Greg Grismore) and Stunt Man Hall completing the cashers.
As for Jason Bartlett, the star of the evening, he and Batalj Launcher wound up seventh. He did win two races Friday night.
For American Lane, a seven-year-old Primrose Lane cash-cow gelding co-owned by David Scharf and Jerry Silva, he returned $5.10 for his eighth win in 14 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $68.50, with the triple paying $833.
American Lane's career numbers now read 45 wins, 25 seconds and 22 third in 127 starts for earnings of $$1,007,981 ($165,180 this season).
Saturday night's 11-race program features the $370,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. The finale of the Levy Series--the sport's richest race of 2009 to date--going as the ninth race. It is joined by the $229,000 final of the inaugural Blue Chip Matchmaker.
A pair of series consolations, worth $100,000 (Levy) and $75,000 (Matchmaker), goes as Saturday night's fifth and eighth races, respectively.
(Yonkers)