Aussie champion wins debut at Yonkers

Australian millionaire champion pacer Lochinvar Art A (Modern Art) made his harness racing debut on Yonkers Raceway’s half mile oval Monday (Feb. 20) night a very impressive winning effort.

The second race pace for $30,000 saw Buddy Hill (Matt Kakaley) leave for the front along with Lochinvar Art and driver Lauren Tritton. Lochinvar Art would settle on the lead by the first quarter mile in :28.4.

After a breather to the half mile in :58.2, Lochinvar Art and Tritton were comfortable on the lead as they continued to race single file.

In the backstretch American Dealer N (Jordan Stratton) came first-over from fifth place but could not gain much ground on the outside as Lochinvar Art led the field to the half mile in 1:26.1.

Around the final turn Lochinvar Art held the field at bay and also through the stretch where the eight-year-old stallion kicked in a :26.4 last quarter mile (with the ear plugs out) to win by one length in 1:53. Bill Haley N (Jason Bartlett) was able to nose out Buddy Hill for second place.

LOCHINVAR ART REPLAY

It was the second start in the USA for Lochinvar Art and his second straight win. His USA debut was a 1:50.1 victory at the Meadowlands on Feb. 4. Trained by Shane Tritton, Lochinvar Art is owned by Team Tritton, Inc. of Pinebush, NY and he paid $3.10 to win as the wagering favorite.

Lochinvar Art is prepping for the upcoming MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers Raceway that features the best older pacers in the nation.

“He was great tonight,” said Lauren Tritton. “He was a little confused when he got to the front and went to relax (like Aussie racing would do). But other than that, he was just jogging and was waiting for them and did that easy, then took off again for the wire. He is so exciting.”

Kevin Gordon in Australia is the owner of Lochinvar Art and right after the race Shane and Lauren Tritton Facetimed him.

“Lauren said it’s a cliché, but he was jogging to the line,” Gordon said. “He has earned the respect now in those races so that he can get to the front.

“Just see how he pulls up after the race as to whether he goes around next week or the week after again at Yonkers,” Gordon added. “The heats of Borgata are four weeks away. It’s a six-week series but the top eight-point scorers make the final and you don’t need to race every week so he will go in the first two or three and see how we are travelling. Maybe miss one or two along the way if we are able.”

In the 8^th race $36,000 Open Handicap Pace, it was all Funatthebeach N (Somebeachsomewhere) and driver Jordan Stratton, who was able to take the early lead away from Oakwoodnitownit IR (Scott Zeron) and then wired the field.

Cutting fractions of :27.4 to the first quarter and :57 to the half mile, Funatthebeach N then saw The Ideal Dancer A (Matt Kakaley) come first-over to challenge, giving cover on the outside to race favorite Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman). They went by the three-quarters in 1:24.4.

Around the final turn and down the stretch, Funatthebeach N remained the strong horse, going on to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:52.2. The Ideal Dancer was second with Leonidas A third.

FUNATTHEBEACH N REPLAY

It was the fourth straight win in five starts this year season for Funatthebeach N. The nine-year-old gelding is trained by Jeff Gillis for Mark Ford and paid $6.20 to win.

The 7^th race $30,000 Pace saw Idealsomemagic A (American Ideal) and driver Jordan Stratton lead from the start to finish in 1:52 by two and one-half lengths. The race favorite is trained by Corey Stratton and paid $3.60 to win.

It was the fifth straight win in six starts for Idealsomemagic A. The nine-year-old gelding is owned by the VIP Internet Stable, LLC and the Bukers Stable. His time of 1:52 tied his lifetime mark.

IDEALSOMEMAGIC A REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink