Calculus Risk and Chapvious gave sire Devious Man a sweep in the $102,055 New York Sire Stakes divisions for rookie trotting fillies that headlined the card of harness racing on Tuesday, June 25 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Shonda and trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer posted fractions of 28.3, 1:00 and 1:30.1 in the first split, but Calculus Risk was guided first-over by driver Jordan Stratton. Heading to three-quarters, Calculus Risk made steady progress on the outside and went past Shonda in the stretch on her way to the victory by three-quarters of a length in 2:00.1. Shonda held second from pocket-sitter Morning Angel (Scott Zeron).
Perry Simser trains Calculus Risk, who was bred by Winbak Farm, for owners Dennis Nye, Carl Leuchten and Jodi Leuchten. Calculus Risk finished second and first in a pair of baby races at Saratoga and broke her maiden in her pari-mutuel debut in this NYSS event.
The second flight played out in similar fashion, as Royal Mission (Zeron) was in control through stations of 29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4. Chapvious (pictured above with Jason Bartlett) committed to a first-over attack out of the third spot on the way to three-quarters. Chapvious moved up on the rim to get side-by-side with Royal Mission late on the final bend, and although Royal Mission was game, Chapvious was able to wear her down late in the mile and was up for the win by a neck in 1:58. On The Radio (Tyler Buter) collected third.
A homebred for Purple Haze Stables LLC, Chapvious was sent out by trainer George Ducharme. A half-sister to Chapercraz, last year's NYSS champion in the three-year-old male trotting group, Chapvious tallied in both of her qualifiers at Vernon Downs before her winning pari-mutuel debut here.
Also on the card were a pair of $27,397 New York Excelsior "A" Series tests for the two-year-old filly trotters. They were won by Tuff Stuff in 2:03 for trainer/driver John Stark Jr. and owner Barbato Breeding LLC, and Smoke Show in 2:02.4 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Julie Miller and owner/breeder Kevin Manley.
New York Sire Stakes action continues at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night, June 27 with two sections for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings, with purses of $77,300 USD and $78,700 USD, going as races four and seven on the 11-race program.
On Friday night, June 28, Yonkers will showcase one of the biggest programs of its season as the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crowns for sophomore colts and geldings begin with the $300,000 USD MGM Yonkers Trot and the $225,000 USD MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals. There will also be the $90,000 USD Park MGM Pace and two $55,000 USD New York New York Mile contests for three-year-old fillies.
Yonkers is currently operating on a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday-Saturday live racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT), but the oval will play host to a Wednesday, June 26 program.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)