Statebreds returned downstate Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the New York Sire Stakes' Milt Taylor Trot for two-year-old colts and geldings.
Four divisions comprised the event, which played out rather formfully.
Odds-on number Andrew Goldstein (Kim Crawford, $3.50) did his damage in the opening ($36,856) division. Pocketed from post position No. 4, he rolled right over Gremlin Wilson (John Cummings, Jr.), and then widened to win by four lengths in a maiden-breaking 2:00.4. Second went to Rose Run Ransom (John Plutino), with Gremlin Wilson lasting for third.
For Andrew Goldstein, an RC Royalty gelding trained by his driver for owner Steven Goldstein, he’s now 1-for-2 to begin his career.
“We’re just trying to uphold the Goldstein name,” the chauffeur said of the connections that’ve enjoyed a fair amount of success with Crawford-trained and driven/Goldstein-surnamed trotters.
Brian Sears doubled his fun, winning the second and third events ($37,556 each) with popular numbers Dayson ($3.10) and Reve Royale ($3.40).
The former, a Conway Hall gelding, strolled from post No. 5. He whipped a steppy Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Daley) by 2-¼ lengths in 2:01 for a second consecutive NYSS/career victory. The Perfect Lindy (Mark MacDonald) was third.
Dayson is trained by Howard Okusko for co-owners Margaret and Amy Butler.
Reve Royale, a son of RC Royalty leaving from post No. 4, was patiently pocketed before getting his marching orders. He rolled home by four lengths in 2:01 for a second consecutive NYSS/career victory. Cupid (Trond Smedshammer) cut the early portion of the mile and held second, with Dante (Ake Svanstedt) third.
Reve Royale is trained by George Ducharme for co-owners Paul Fontaine (in attendance), Raymond Campbell, Jr. and Alfred Ross.
“We think he has a lot of talent and a good turn of speed,” Ducharme said. “We’re just trying to teach him as we go along.”
The evening’s final ($37,556) sire stakes division saw second choice Credevie (Smedshammer, $6), from post No. 7, leave for a seat then prevail from second-over in a night’s-fastest (and maiden-breaking) 2:00.3.
Southern Palms (Marcus Miller) chased the winner home, beaten three-quarters of a length in a pari-mutuel debut, with Chargin Cadet (Ray Schnittker) third. Race favourite Allerage Echo (Sears) was a non-threatening fourth.
Credevie, a Credit Winner gelding trained by Smedshammer for owner Purple Haze Stables, is now 1-for-2 to begin his career.
(Yonkers Raceway)