Hunting Hula and Tarrific gave sire Huntsville victories in both New York Sire Stakes divisions for sophomore pacing fillies that took place on Thursday, Aug. 15 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

In the first $113,014 split, Hunting Hula (driven by Mark MacDonald) went to the front from post four and cut fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:25.2. Shes Epic (Tyler Buter) made a first-over move out of third past the half and got into second coming to three-quarters, but she stalled and then dropped back on the last turn, which allowed pocket-sitter and favourite A Few Choice Words (Jim Marohn Jr.) to come to the outside in the stretch. A Few Choice Words had pace after tipping out, but not enough as Hunting Hula held her off to prevail by half a length in 1:52.4. Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) was up for third after a second-over trip.

Bruce Lauer trains Hunting Hula, who was bred by Pat Lachance and Z Tam Stables LLC., for owner Its All Good Racing LLC. Hunting Hula won for the fourth time in her career, has now earned $217,944 and paid $18.00 to win as a 8-1 offering. She keyed a $43.40 exacta and a $126.00 trifecta.

The other $115,068 flight saw Tarrific (pictured above with Bartlett) make Camerican (Jordan Stratton) work most of a :27.4 quarter before releasing her to sit in the pocket. Camerican would go on to the half in :57.1, but Bartlett and Tarrific attacked two-wide on the third turn and Tarrific landed on the engine before the 1:24.4 three-quarters was reached. From there it was all Tarrific as she pulled away from the rest of the field on her way to a four length tally in 1:52.2. Avyanna (Buter) finished second and Stepabovetherest (Scott Zeron) collected third.

Tarrific, bred by Dr. Stephen Dey III, is owned by Margaret Dey and Let It Ride Stables Inc. This was her fourth win in her 15th lifetime start, she has now pocketed $211,149 and returned $2.10 to win. The exacta was worth $6.20 and the trifecta kicked back $22.40.

A pair of $27,397 New York Excelsior "A" Series tests for three-year-old filly pacers also took place, with the victories going to Dizzy Lizzy (by So Surreal, bred by Morrisville Col Fdn Inc., paid $4.40 to win) in 1:54.2 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Ronald Harp and owners Diane Harp, Venitia Harp and Nicholas Gibides and Tempville (by Huntsville, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, paid $3.40 to win) in 1:54.2 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer George Ducharme and owner Purple Haze Stables LLC. 

This concluded the regular season visits for the New York Sire Stakes circuit at Yonkers, but the oval will host the finals on Saturday, Sept. 7 as part of a program that also includes the $1 million US MGM Yonkers International Trot, the Aria Invitational Pace and the Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot. Post time for that card is 12 p.m. (EDT).

Friday night’s (August 16) card at Yonkers will feature a $6,205.72 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 after the sequence was not hit on Thursday night.

(Yonkers)