Super Chapter and Gangsta Talk came out on top in a pair of New York Sire Stakes races for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Thursday, July 25 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
The first $100,137 split was held as a non-wagering event before the pari-mutuel program, and Super Chapter, driven by Dexter Dunn, led through fractions of :29.2, :59.3 and 1:28.3 on his way to a three-length victory over pocket-sitter Happy Jack B (Ake Svanstedt) in a 1:57.1 mile. Poblano (Yannick Gingras) finished third.
A Chapter Seven colt, Super Chapter (pictured above) is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Jeff Snyder and Arthur Pronti. Super Chapter, who was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, has two wins and a second in three starts and has banked $121,335.
In the other $102,055 flight Moonshot S (Scott Zeron) led the way early, but Gingras swung Civilian Drone, the 4-5 favourite, to the outside before the :28.3 quarter and took charge on the second turn. Civilian Drone continued to show the way to the 59-second half and the 1:28.3 three-quarters, but Gangsta Talk (Svanstedt) was out and moving first-over from third at that latter station.
Civilian Drone managed to keep the top spot around the final bend and into the lane, but Gangsta Talk continued to make headway to the outside and forged his way by Civilian Drone late in the mile to prevail by half a length in 1:58.1. Civilian Drone had to settle for second and Moonshot S wound up third.
Svanstedt also trains and co-owns Gangsta Talk, another colt by Chapter Seven, with partners Stable Why Not, Little E LLC. and Jorgen Sparredal Inc. Gangsta Talk, bred by Ab Svensk Reklamfinans, has a summary of 2-1-0 from three appearances, has earned $122,294 and paid $7.80 to win as the 5-2 second choice. He was atop a $16 exacta and a $47.20 trifecta.
There were also two $27,397 New York Excelsior "A" Series divisions for the rookie colt and gelding trotters on the card. They were won by:
-- BJMs Lil Man (by Devious Man and bred by Donald La Page, paid $2.30 to win) in 2:00 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer John Berger and owner Joseph Meaney;
-- Low Inside (by Devious Man and bred by Cherry Hill Farm, paid $2.40 to win) in 2:00.3 for trainer/driver Dan Daley and owners Ann-Mari Daley, Todd Van Alstyne and Margaret Waterbury.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday-Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live harness racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT).
Sheridan, Keppler Win Yonkers NAADA Trots
Yogi Sheridan powered from the pocket while Scott Keppler persisted first over to win their respective divisions of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trots at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (July 25).
In the first division, Sheridan struck the winning blow with 9-5 favourite Mr Contestant to win in 2:00. Sheridan secured a pocket ride behind pylon-starter Brownie (driven by Joe Lee) and trailed the leader through fractions of :28.1 and :59. As movement came along the rim from Quiksilvr Bluechip (Tony Beltrami) through the backstretch, Sheridan tipped out of the pocket with Mr Contestant and overhauled the race leader after three-quarters in 1:29.3. Mr Contestant maintained his speed through the lane to wade off the continuous push from Quiksilvr Bluechip, who settled for second, beaten a length. Mufasa As (Joe Faraldo) closed from third over for third and Kashas Boy (Alan Schwartz) evened from a second-over trip and took fourth.
Peter Pellegrino trains Mr Contestant, a nine-year-old gelding by Winning Mister, for owner Room4040 LLC Stables. He paid $5.60 to win.
Scott Keppler later clinched victory from an uncovered grind behind Psalmsfortysixfive to win the second division in 1:59.4. Pslamsfortysixfive floated away third while Raceace (Alan Schwartz) grabbed the point before a :29.1 first quarter. Keppler then pulled off the pegs through the breather to a :59.2 half and marched towards the pacesetter moving to three-quarters in 1:29. Raceace and Psalmsfortysixfive raced as one through the final turn until Psalmsfortysixfive inched to a narrow lead and kept his foe down all through the lane. Psalmsfortysixfive then held off a late push from Beacon Beach (Yogi Sheridan) in the stretch to win by a half length while Raceace settled for third and 2-1 favourite Bacardi (Joe Lee) gave chase off a pocket trip for fourth.
Jose Godinez trains Psalmsfortysixfive, a four-year-old mare by Fitzmagic, for owner Scott Keppler. She paid $7.30 to win.
NAADA action moves back to Monticello Raceway next Wednesday (July 31) for the ninth leg of the club’s Summer Series. First-race post time at Monticello is 12:10 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Yonkers and NAADA)