The Empire's glamour gang returned downstate Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $277,962 New York Sire Stakes Jim Crawford Pace
for three-year-old colts and geldings.
A trio of $92,634 divisions went postward over "good" ground, with all three favorites delivering on their promises to the public.
Defending NYSS champ Hes Gorgeous (Jim Morrill, Jr.) overcame a rotten draw (Post 7) and a wide trip, proving too tough in the opening event.
The 1-2 choice was second-over, then wide early to engage leading Art Two D Two (George Brennan). Hes Gorgeous grabbed a length lead in and out of the final turn, eventually defeating Erichs Best (Fern Paquet, Jr.) in 1:55.3. Art Two D Two was third.
For Hes Gorgeous, an Art Major colt owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, he returned $3.10 for his seventh win (fourth consecutive N.Y.S.S.) in 11 seasonal starts (16-for-22 lifetime, career cash over $535,000).
"We knew early on he'd be a good one," Jacobs said. "He's never disappointed us. Now, all we need is a good draw in the (Sept. 25) Night of Champions (here), then hopefully, it's on the Breeders Crown.
Jerrys Brown Gold (Jordan Stratton), as the 3-4 choice, went first-up and over in the second event. Away third from Post 2, he disposed of longshot leader Speculative Edge (Dan Daley) down the backside and widened from there.
Jerrys Brown Gold had 3-1/2 lengths turning for home, then off the closing, 31-1 Bullish Blue Chip (Jeff Gregory) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.1. Flexjet (Brian Allen) was third.
For Jerrys Brown Gold, an Art Major colt owned by Fred Monteleone Stables and trained by Ed Hart, returned $3.50 for his eighth win in 16 seasonal starts.
"He's a very versatile colt, and I just didn't want to get caught up in a speed duel," Stratton said. "The track was obviously off, but he had no problems."
Jimmie Hanover (Brennan) turned in the evening's fastest sire stakes effort, wiring the final division from Post 2 in 1:53.2. Malicious (Gregory) was second, beaten three-quarters of a length, with Whiskey Pete (Stephane Bouchard) finishing third.
For Jimmie Hanover, a son of Art Major owned by John Lichtenberger and trained by Larry Remmen, he returned $4.70 for his fourth win in 10 seasonal starts.
"That's good mile on a track that was a little sticky," Brennan said. "The only thing Larry (Remmen) said to me was that he tends to get lazy.
"I was able to give him a bit of a breather, then open up past the three-quarters. He was getting tired late, but he was good."
(Yonkers Raceway)