New York Sire Stakes continued downstate Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $230,010 New Rochelle Trot for three-year-old fillies
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Six consecutive events went postward, and, of was case ten nights ago, Jezzy left her mark first – and fastest – in the $38,685 opening division.
Leaving from post position seven as the 1-9 favourite for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker, Jezzy had to overcome more than her fair share of road trouble. Once she finally took over from Conwayslassie (Cat Manzi) down the backside, the suspense portion of the race was over. Jezzy opened 2-1/2 lengths turning for home before winning by a couple of lengths in 1:58.3. Nowerland Firebird (George Brennan) was second, with Go Go Dancer (Brian Mattison) third.
Jezzy ($2.30), a daughter of Credit Winner co-owned by Schnittker along with Jeff Gural, Ted Gewertz and Jerry Silva, is now 5-for-5 this season and 15-for-16 lifetime. She has banked in excess of $440,000 to date.
Asked the difference between Jezzy at two and Jezzy at three, Schnittker said, "She lost once last season. She hasn't lost this season," before adding that open stakes company is in her plans this summer.
Birthday Bonus (Corey Braden) authored up a 24-1, maiden-breaking surprise ($50.50) in the $37,985, fourth sire stakes division. Leaving from post two, she was pocketed before prevailing by three lengths in the passing lane (2:00.3). The Cash Hall lass, owned by Joseph Martinelli, Sr. and trained by Paul Bernardo, defeated both wagering choices, Refuse To Lose (Cat Manzi) and Em El Cash (Trond Smedshammer).
"Last week (fourth to Jezzy here) was her first start on a half, and I though she handled it well," Braden said, "Paul (Bernardo) has done a lot of work with her, and it was good to see the rewards."
It was a second career win for pole-sitting Julianna Marvel (Ted Wing, $9.10), who went the distance (2:01.1) in the $37,985 fifth division. The homebred Dream Vacation miss, trained by Wing for Marveland Farms, defeated One Way Or Another (Brian Mattison) by a length, with Dance Steps (John Stark, Jr.) third.
"I choked her down last week at the Meadowlands letting another hose go," Wing said. "I said going into tonight that she took the first turn, I was going to let her keep going. I'm most pleased for (co-owner) John Grabovetz, who's 92 years old and this is his first stakes winner."
Thursday’s other divisional winners were Brooklyn (2:00.1), Some Girls (2:00.2) and Miss Sue V (2:01).
(Yonkers Raceway)