It was downstate statebred rookie initiation Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the New York Sire Stakes Jim Meagher Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings.
The event, which honoured the memory of the Raceway’s long-time corporate controller, went in two divisions worth $76,512 apiece.
The first event saw odds-on number Autotune Hanover (Tyler Buter, $2.80), fresh from his win in the final of the Lawrence B. Sheppard pace here a dozen nights ago, have no issues whatsoever.
Leaving from post position five, he took a brief seat before working past Fine Diamond (George Brennan) right at a :28.2 opening quarter-mile. From there, intervals of :58.2, 1:28 and 1:56.2 gave him a 2-¼ length victory of that pocket-sitting foe. Beaches De Vie (Pat Lachance) rallied for third at 101-1, with Carlos Danger (Jim Morrill, Jr.) and Cenovis (Scott Zeron) completing the cashers.
For Autotune Hanover, an Art Major colt co-owned by (trainer) Mark Harder, Peter Paul Venturini, Deena Frost and Rick Phillips, it was his second win in four career starts.
“It was interesting in the first turn,” Buter said. “Andy (Miller’s) colt (Redneck Rally) looked awfully hot and eventually made a break, so I just took my time. My horse seems more mature as he goes along, but he didn’t have to go nearly as fast as his did (1:54.3) in his last start.”
Thursday night’s second Meagher grouping had Travel Playlist (Miller, $14.20) have to wait his turn to get the lead, then refuse to relinquish. In play early from post seven, he gave Red Roll (Jason Bartlett) and 9-10 fave Joe Larry N Curly (Morrill, Jr.) first cracks at glory.
Travel Playlist made the lead passing the :28.4 opening quarter-mile, then rated a very soft :59.1 intermission. He then closed the sale with a 1:28.3 three-quarters and eight furlongs in 1:56.1. Joe Larry N Curly dove inside but missed a half-length, with Endeavor (Lachance), Red Roll and Roll with Fred (Brian Sears) grabbing the remainder.
For third choice Travel Playlist, an Art Major colt owned by Ronald Michelin and trained by Erv Miller, he’s now 2-for-2 to begin his career.
(Yonkers Raceway)