Yonkers: Leonidas A repeats in Open Pace

Leonidas A won for the second straight time at the top level at Yonkers Raceway, capturing Monday night's (March 6) $36,000 Open Pace in 1:53 3/5.

Driven by Austin Siegelman and starting from post one in the field of five, Leonidas A sped out quickly but was overtaken by a leaving Anothrmastrpiece N (Jason Bartlett) late on the first turn. Siegelman didn't want the pocket, though, and moved Leonidas A to the point after the 27 1/5 opening quarter.

From there, Leonidas A received plenty of respect on the front-end, posting middle-half splits of just 57 4/5 and 1:26 1/5, and a 27 2/5 final quarter got him the win over a pylon-skimming Anothrmastrpiece N by half a length. Priceless Beach (Matt Kakaley) was a good third after doing the first-over work, and defending MGM Borgata Pacing Series champion Funatthebeach N (Jordan Stratton) got fourth. The Ideal Dancer A (Scott Zeron) rounded out the order.

Matthew Medeiros trains Leonidas A, an 8-year-old Mach Three gelding who finished second in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final a year ago, for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A now has 46 career victories, earnings of $918,007, and he paid $2.70 to win as the 1-5 favorite. The exacta was worth $11.60 and the trifecta returned $30.20.

In other action on the program, another Australian import, the millionaire Lochinvar Art, improved to three-for-three in the U.S. after winning a $30,000 event for non-winners of $37,381 in their last five starts. Driven by Lauren Tritton for trainer/husband Shane Tritton and owner Team Tritton Inc., Lochinvar Art, an 8-year-old Modern Art stallion, prevailed by a length and three-quarters in 1:51 after tipping first-over out of third racing to three-quarters.

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For the second straight card at Yonkers, the wagering handle entered seven figures on Monday night, hitting $1,003,149.

Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EST). Stakes action at the half-mile oval is rapidly approaching, with the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares commencing on Friday, March 17 and the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for free-for-allers beginning two weeks from tonight (March 20).

--press release (Yonkers)--