AI remained undefeated and tied the MGM Yonkers Raceway track record for a two-year-old colt trotter when he captured the first of two $102,055 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) divisions on Thursday, July 24 in 1:56.3.
Titans Mischief (Matt Kakaley) showed strong speed and led AI early, but Yannick Gingras brought AI to the outside prior to the :28.4 quarter and had control before that station was reached. From there, AI went on to the half in :58.4 and the three-quarters in 1:28 before he closed in :28.3 to defeat Titans Mischief by 3-1/2 lengths. Spencer Hanover (Dexter Dunn) was third.
The time of 1:56.3 put AI in the record book alongside Gimpanzee, who trotted in 1:56.3 on September 22, 2018.
Bred in New York by Steve Jones, AI is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Making every start so far in the NYSS, the son of Chapter Seven-Image Of Bee has earned $211,834 to go with his four-for-four record. The Ron Burke trainee paid $2.50 to win.
In addition to AI's victory, driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke, and sire Chapter Seven won the other NYSS split with Whos Eyes Blues.
In the second flight, Angry Pete (John Stark Jr.) was in front at the quarter-mile marker in :30.2, but Whos Eyes Blues and Gingras, who had tipped out of fourth on the second turn, moved up side-by-side with him on the way to the 1:01.1 half. Angry Pete was able to counter and quicken on the inside to keep Whos Eyes Blues on the rim, but Whos Eyes Blues finally wore him down and went by after the 1:30.1 three-quarters.
After Whos Eyes Blues cleared to the point, Chapter Geo J (Joe Bongiorno) took up the chase from first-over, and he gained all the way to the wire. Whos Eyes Blues was able to stave off Chapter Geo J, though, as he got to the wire with his nose in front in a 1:59.4 mile. Chapter Geo J was a game second in his career debut and Secured (Ake Svanstedt) collected the third-place cheque.
A Fair Winds Farm-bred colt out of Behindblueyes, Whos Eyes Blues competes for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Frank Baldachino, Hatfield Stables, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Whos Eyes Blues has two wins from three outings and has banked $76,583. He returned $3.90 to win.
"The best part is I think Whos Eyes Blues might be better," said Burke when asked about AI, who also posted a track record at Buffalo for Gingras - in the driver's first start at that track since 2016 - in the previous leg of the NYSS. "AI is good, but training down we all said Whos Eyes Blues is better. We expect both to do good things."
One $27,397 Excelsior Series race for the rookie colt and gelding trotters was won by the Devious Man-Pearls Last Chance gelding Goog Eyes in 2:02 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Phil Fluet, and owner/breeder Bonnie Woodward. Goog Eyes broke his maiden in his fourth try and has now pocketed $34,154. He paid $5.50 to win. He won by a head over Flex Up (Andy Miller). Sir Devious Knight (Rock Vinci) completed the ticket.
Tipsy Moni took the card's $53,425 Fillies and Mares Invitational Trot, storming away in the final quarter after cutting the mile to score by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:54.4. Gingras piloted the five-year-old International Moni-Seaside mare to her 10th win of the campaign in 17 outings for trainer Per Engblom. She returned $2.60 to win as she bolstered her career totals to 33 victories and $850,446 in earnings in 76 starts. Ben Mondello LLC, FAC Racing LLC, and Gingras own the mare. Hot Flash Kimmy (Stratton) finished second, followed by Lucky Mum N (Jason Bartlett).
The veteran gelding Mindtrip tallied his 50th lifetime victory in the second race as he grinded down pacesetter Gardys Legacy A (George Brennan) with a prolonged first-over march, prevailing by a neck in 1:54.2. Jim Marohn Jr. guided the 12-year-old to his second straight win since joining the barn of trainer Michael Seddon this month. Mindtrip, a son of American Ideal-Has An Attitude, reached the 50-win milestone in his 226th start while pushing his earnings to $648,341. Jose Cervantes owns the gelding.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)