Heavy favourites Gigi Hanover and Instagram Model delivered as expected in the two $85,500 New York Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old trotting fillies that occurred on Tuesday evening (Aug. 15) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
With Mark MacDonald in the bike in the first split, Gigi Hanover went right to the point from post three and put up well-rated fractions of :29, :58.4 and 1:28. In the stretch, pocket-sitter Usosweet Blue Chip was angled off the pylons by driver Marcus Miller and did gain some, but it wasn't enough as Gigi Hanover held sway to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:57 flat. Canterbury Hanover, piloted by trainer Jeff Gregory, got up for third.
Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Gigi Hanover is trained by Ake Svanstedt for owner Mellby Gard Inc. This was her third career victory and she has now earned $185,057.
She paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favourite and led a $9.60 exacta and a $38.60 trifecta.
Kayleigh S was fired out by Brian Sears in the other grouping, but Jason Bartlett wheeled out of the pocket with Instagram Model going to the :28.1 quarter and took over the top spot beyond that marker. It was all Instagram Model from there, as she hit the half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:26, opening up a gap on the rest of the field in the process, and closed in :28.3 to win by nine lengths over Royal Filly and driver Tyler Buter. Kayleigh S wound up third.
Instagram Model, who was sixth in the final of the Hambletonian Oaks earlier this month, hails from the barn of Annie Stoebe and is owned by R. Lynn Curry. Instagram Model, who was bred by Steve Jones and Ray Schnittker, has a record of 7-2-1 from 16 appearances and has pocketed $395,486.
She returned $2.50 to win as the 1-5 favourite. The exacta was worth $7.90 and the trifecta kicked back $13.
Bartlett and MacDonald also won the three $20,000 New York Excelsior "A" Series flights that occurred as non-wagering races prior to the pari-mutuel program. Bartlett guided Metro Matty (sired by Mets Hall and bred by Winbak Farm) to a 1:58 victory for owner Bay Pond Racing Stable and trainer John Butenschoen, and Woolco (by Chapter Seven) to a 1:57.4 triumph for breeder/trainer Bob Krivelin and his Hero Stables, while MacDonald connected with Five Fish Species (by Chapter Seven and bred by Order By Stable) in 1:57.3 for owner Thestable Fivefishspecies and trainer Megan Scran.
The New York Sire Stakes circuit returns to MGM Yonkers Raceway next Tuesday, Aug. 22, with two-year-old colt and gelding pacers coming to Westchester.
MGM Yonkers Raceway currently hosts live racing on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).
(Yonkers Raceway)