Standout statebred Hes Gorgeous, driven by Jason Bartlett, went up and over his competition, as he won the fastest Monday night division of Yonkers Raceway's $276,000 New York Sire Stakes Bruce Hamilton Pace.

Hes Gorgeous was the prohibitive 3-10 favourite in the $69,650 first grouping for the three-year-old colts and geldings.

Hes Gorgeous made the lead just after a :27.4 opening quarter and led the rest of the way en route to an open-length victory in 1:53.1.

Hes Gorgeous, an Art Major colt trained by Linda Toscano, returned $2.60 for his third win in six seasonal starts. Triple Major finished second and Real Gentleman third. The exacta (two favourites) paid $6.30 and the triactor returned $13.40.

"We've tried to tinker with his equipment a bit to get his attention earlier in the race," Bartlett said. "I'm nor sure it accomplished what we thought it would.

"He was alright tonight. He's been better, and I expect him to be better."

Monday night's other Hamilton events were won by Art Two D Two (1:54.4), Art Professor (1:53.4), and Capital Blue Chip and Hanks Kid, who dead-heated in 1:54.3.

The sire stakes events paid tribute to Bruce Hamilton, the longtime executive secretary of Harness Horse Breeders of New York State who passed away in May, 2003, at the age of 55. His family joined in for winner's circle presentations.

(With files from Yonkers)