Yonkers Raceway featured two elimination races for the first two-year-old stakes of the season, the MGM Springfield Stakes, on Monday night (July 6).

In the first elimination, American Courage brushed to the lead approaching the half and was an easy seven and one-quarter length winner in 1:55.2 over Town Gossip with Crystal Beach third and Major Makover fourth.

The 1-5 favourite, American Courage paid $2.70 to win. The son of American Ideal was driven to victory by Matt Kakaley for trainer Travis Alexander and the Fiddlers Creek Stables of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

In the second elimination, Carrythetorchman took control of the race from the start and led wire to wire to a 1:55.4 victory. Coalition Hanover was a length a half back in second with Victory Move third and Not Today fourth.

Carrythetorchman, also a son of American Ideal, also paid $2.70 to win and was driven to victory by Scott Zeron for trainer Erv Miller and owners Ronald Michelon of Northbrook, Illinois and War Horse Stables of Malvern, Pennsylvania.

The top four finishers in each elimination return for the $104,250 MGM Springfield Stakes Final next Monday July 13 at Yonkers Raceway.

(Yonkers)