Yonkers: John Brennan Trotting Series prelims completed

Trainer Trond Smedshammer holds a strong hand heading into next week's John Brennan Trotting Series final, as he won two of the three $25,000 divisions of the last preliminary round that took place on Wednesday night (April 20) at Yonkers Raceway.

In the first split, Smedshammer steered Seventier to a 1:55 4/5 triumph. Seventier got around P L Oscar (Jim Marohn Jr.) to take command before the 28 1/5 opening quarter and then backed down the tempo to 58 2/5 at the half and 1:27 2/5 at three-quarters. Seventier would trot away from the competition in a 28.2 last quarter, defeating The Irishman (Jordan Stratton) by 3 1/4 lengths. P L Oscar wound up third.

A 4-year-old Chapter Seven gelding, Seventier is owned by Purple Haze Stables LLC. This was his ninth career victory, and he has now earned $123,776. The 1-5 favorite, Seventier paid $2.70 to win and led a $51.50 exacta and a $225.50 trifecta.

Smedshammer's other victory came courtesy of Lady Ann NO in the third and final section. Lady Ann NO stepped to the point from post three, slowed the pace down to just 29 4/5, 1:00, and 1:29 3/5, and used a 28 1/5 final quarter to hold off pocket-sitter Sevenshadesofgrey (George Brennan) by half a length. Top Me Off (Mark MacDonald) was third after a first-over try.

American Viking Racing Stable owns Lady Ann NO, a 6-year-old Norwegian-bred Credit Winner mare. She has a record of 8-4-4 from 28 lifetime tries, and she has now put away $168,480. Lady Ann NO was the 4-5 choice and returned $3.70 to win. She also keyed a $21.00 exacta and a $69.00 trifecta.

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While Smedshammer has a strong-looking duo for the final, they'll both have to deal with Hat Trick Marleau (Tyler Buter), who completed a three-for-three run through the prelims with a 1:54 3/5 triumph in tonight's second flight. Hat Trick Marleau led the way through fractions of 27 4/5, 56 4/5, and 1:25 3/5 and would hold off a two-wide bid by pocket-sitter B Nicking (Brennan) in the stretch to score by a neck. Bazillionaire (Austin Siegelman) checked in third.

Ricky Bucci trains and owns Hat Trick Marleau, a 6-year-old gelded son of Crazed. Hat Trick Marleau made his 16th appearance in the winner's circle, has now banked $174,481, and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite. He was atop a $3.30 exacta and a $10.20 trifecta.

The John Brennan Trotting Series will wrap up next Wednesday (April 27) with the final and consolation.

Stakes action at Yonkers resumes on Monday night (April 25) with the $549,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series and $381,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series finals headlining the 12-race program. In addition to the big events on the track, the Empire Terrace Dining Room will be open Monday night. The price point will be $80 per person, plus tax and gratuity for the food. There will also be an open bar available for $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, please call 914-457-2531 on Friday or Saturday. For more information outside those days, please reach out to the race office.

Yonkers is currently on a Monday-Friday live racing schedule, with post time at 6:55 p.m.

--press release (Yonkers)--