Long shots rule in Pop-Up Series opener

A Pop-Up Series for pacers that were non-winners of $20,000 in their last five starts began on Tuesday night (September 28) at Yonkers Raceway with four $35,000 harness racing divisions.

Imstaynalive (Pat Lachance) pulled a 21-1 upset in the first section after scoring by a head in 1:52.1 following a first-over journey. Rock The Devil (Jim Marohn Jr.) was second after sitting in the pocket, and Raukapuka Ruler N (Jordan Stratton), who led through fractions of 26.4, 55.2, and 1:23.3, had to settle for third.

Lachance also trains Imstaynalive, a 6-year-old American Ideal stallion, for owners Lachance Racing Stable and Dan Mogridge. Imstaynalive, who paid $45.60 to win, now has 19 career wins and earnings of $284,639. The exacta returned $205.50 and the trifecta was worth $582.00.

IMSTAYNALIVE REPLAY

In the second flight 1-9 favorite Pyro (Marohn Jr.) put up stations of 27.4, 56, and 1:24, but Dancin Dragon (Stratton) tipped out of the two-hole late on the final bend and got up to prevail by a head in 1:52.3. Our Max Phactor N (Scott Zeron) was the third-place finisher.

Dancin Dragon is a 6-year-old Dragon Again gelding trained by Ed Hart for the ownership group of Randy Bendis and Pollack Racing LLC. Dancin Dragon is now a 30-time winner from 97 lifetime appearances, and he pushed his bankroll to $405,652.

He returned $18.60 to win as the 8-1 second choice and was atop a $36.60 exacta and a $273.50 trifecta.

DANCIN DRAGON REPLAY

A pocket trip also worked for Bill Haley N (Scott Zeron) in the third split. 3-5 favorite Mach Doro A (Dan Dube) was in command at the 27.3 quarter, 56.4 half, and 1:24.3 three-quarters, but Bill Haley N went on the attack just after three-quarters and was able to go by Mach Doro A in the stretch on his way to a 1 1/4 length decision in 1:52.1. Aflame HAnover (Marcus Miller) was the runner-up and Mach Doro A faded to third.

Lance Hudson trains Bill Haley N, a 7-year-old gelded son of Rock N Roll Heaven, for owner William Hartt. Bill Haley N has compiled a record of 17-8-10 from 79 trips behind the gate, and he has now pocketed $200,658. A 4-1 offering, Bill Haley N paid $10.40 to win and keyed a $30.20 exacta and a $64.50 trifecta.

BILL HALEY N REPLAY

The last grouping saw Pretty Handsome (Joe Bongiorno) click off panels of 27.2, 56.3, and 1:24, but he was under siege by a first-over Bettor Memories (George Brennan) before they got to three-quarters.

Pretty Handsome and Bettor Memories continued to duel around the last turn and into the lane, but Bettor Memories stayed game on the rim and got the better of Pretty Handsome by three-parts of a length in a 1:52.3 mile. Buddy Hill (Matt Kakaley) was the third-place finisher.

The victorious 8-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and Phil Collura. Bettor Memories made his 40th appearance in the winner’s circle, and he has now put away $805,207. The 9-5 second choice, he returned $5.90 to win. The exacta kicked back $14.80 and the trifecta was good for $93.50.

BETTOR MEMORIES REPLAY

The Pop-Up Series continues with another leg next Tuesday (October 5), and the top eight money earners will advance to the $50,000 final.

Racing resumes at Yonkers on Wednesday (September 29). The ten-race program begins at 7:15 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

From Yonkers Raceway