Big Weekend for Pat Berry at Yonkers

March 25, 2007



Pat Berry guided Delightful Hope to a win in the $64,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares. That was Yonkers Raceway's richest race of the season to date, until Saturday night, when Pat guided Four Star Tommy to a win in the $70,000 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for three and four-year-old colts and geldings, the Raceway's richest event of the season to date.

Four Star Tommy, a four-year-old Jate Lobell gelding, defeated his stable and entrymate Dragons Yankee (Greg Grismore) by two lengths, pacing a "good" mile in 1:55.

"Once I saw everyone settle in, I wanted to give my horse as much of a breather as possible before moving him," Berry said. "He's raced well this whole series (two wins and a second in three preliminary legs), and I think he has a future."

Four Star Tommy, now 5-for-11 in '07, is co-owned by Hylight Stable, Elmer Henkel and Joelyn Shoup, all based in Buckeye country. The $35,000 Sagamore winner's share pushed his life earnings just over the six-figure plateau.

Proving he's more than a one-hit--or two-hit--wonder, Berry also won Saturday night's $35,000 Open Handicap Pace with a gutty Western Guy. The four-year-old son of Western Hanover, passed in mid-stretch by first-over Keystone Rodeo (Brad Hanners), fought back to prevail by a half-length in 1:55.2. Whispers Spy (Meittinis) was third.

Berry's four-win night also featured Rob Roy Mattgregor in a $30,000 winners-over event and Buddy Brown, who skimmed the cones in the $25,000 Sagamore consolation.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week--Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m. The opening round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series is scheduled for next Saturday night.

The $64,000 Petticoat Pace Yonkers Raceway: Race Nine
Friday, March 23, 2007
PP Horse                          Driver

6 Delightful Hope                Pat Berry
1 Monte Carlo Madam         Tim Tetrick
5 Brissonte Hanover           Thomas Jackson
3 Galaxy Girl                      Tony Morgan
2 Blue Ocean Hanover         Greg Grismore
7 Love Card                       Jeff Gregory
4 Julies Operator                Larry Stalbaum
8 Ladyatrix                        S Bouchard
: 27.3      :57.1      1:26      1:56.1