The New York Sire Stakes welcomed all sorts of ladies downstate Tuesday night (Aug. 7), with Yonkers Raceway’s hosting the $166,499 Mike Cipriani Trot for three-year-old fillies.
The race again honoured the memory of the Raceway’s long-time, award-winning photographer.
A five-horse, $54,833 pre-card non-wagering Sire Stakes was won by a stubborn, down-the-road Natalie Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) in 1:56.3.
Soon thereafter, a lightning storm delayed the card between the first and second races.
Tuesday’s first (second programmed) event ($55,833) saw pole-sitting Supergirl Riley (Marcus Miller, $10.60) retake from Ciao Dolce (Dan Dubé), then dismiss 3-10 favourite Lima Novelty (Scott Zeron) en route to a handy 1:55.2 effort.
After early intervals of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:27, Supergirl Riley opened a pair of lengths into the lane. She widened to 4-1/2 lengths at the wire, with Ciao Dolce second, Lima Novelty a tiring third and Pune Bush Rose (Jordan Stratton) fourth.
For second choice Supergirl Riley, a daughter of Muscle Mass co-owned by Paymaq Racing, George Golemes and Harvey Eisman and trained by Erv Miller, it was her first win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $32.20, the triple returned $84.50 and the superfecta paid $288.50.
“She's just starting to find her stride,” Marcus Miller said.
The $55,833 second "carded" division — third and final — of the Cipriani saw defending state-bred champ Lucky Ava (Dubé, $3.00) have five outclassed rivals chasing in vain.
From the pole, she retook from Mooshka Stride (Brennnan), then finished it off with no discomfort through splits of :28.2, :59, 1:28.1 and 1:56.3.
The final margin over Mooshka Stride was 2-1/4 lengths, with Tribute to Seven (Zeron) a first-up third. Special Miss (Steve Smith) was fourth.
For Lucky Ava, a Lucky Chucky miss co-owned by trainer Åke Svanstedt with Little E LLC and Van Camp Trotting, she has five wins and three seconds in nine 2018 tries. The exacta paid $19, the triple retuned $48 and the superfecta paid $167.50.
The New York Sire Stakes circuit returns to Yonkers Monday night (Aug. 13), with the $157,000 Pat Quaglietta Trot for two-year-old fillies.
(Yonkers Raceway)