'Young Ladies on Parade' was the theme Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the New York Sire Stakes' Clyde Hirt Pace for two-year-old fillies.
Three divisions, at $48,941 per, comprised the event.
Soft Idea (Jim Morrill, Jr.) couldn’t even wait for the wagering to begin, winning both the draw and the non-betting event. The daughter of American Ideal sat patiently pocketed, then ducked inside. She whipped pace-setting American Ivy (Brian Sears) by a length-and-three-quarters in a life-best 1:56.2. Dime a Dance (George Brennan) was third.
For Soft Idea, trained by Linda Toscano for co-owners The Bays Stable, Radio Racing Stable (a Harvey Nagler production), Little E LLC and South Mountain Stables, it was her second (NYSS) win in three tries.
The second sire stakes event saw odds-on Vino And Formaggio (Jason Bartlett) stuff Killing Em Softly (Brennan, $6.40) in behind early, only to watch her ease past late. The second choice, from post position four after an inside scratch, whipped the favourite by a length in 1:57.3. Rockin Date (Matt Kakaley) was third.
For Killing Em Softly, an American Ideal miss trained by Casie Coleman for co-owners Andrew Harris and West Wins Stable, it was her second (NYSS) win in as many starts.
The evening’s final state bred event saw No Clouds Bluechip (Sears, $12.60) try to leave, take back, then go first-up to first home in maiden-breaking/night’s-fastest 1:56.
From post position three, she went over a tiring Wishy Washy Girl (Bartlett), before widening to win by 2-¼ lengths. Mother Of Art (Kakaley) was second, with Penpal (Pat Lachance) third.
For fourth choice No Clouds Bluechip, a daughter of Roll With Joe trained by John Berger for co-owners Barbara Berger and Richard and Farrell Carney, she’s now 1-for-4 to begin her career.
(Yonkers Raceway)