Statebred two-year-olds were on display Tuesday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace. Five divisions went postward, and the outcomes were not to the liking of the chalk players.
The opening ($56,792) division found pole-sitting Freetime (Andy Miller, $24.20) going by 1-4 fave Summertime Lea (Jim Morrill, Jr., by three-quarters of a length en route to a life-best 1:56 victory. Brussels Hanover (George Brennan) was third.
Freetime, a daughter of Artiscape trained by Julie Miller for co-owners Andy Miller Stable and Triple D Stables, is now 2-for-4 this season.
Tuesday night's second ($57,892) sire stakes event was won by an off-the-pace Park N Orchard (Brian Sears, $25). Sixth turning for home, she edged past a two-move, 3-10 choice Give Me An Amen (Tim Tetrick) by a length. Road Bet (Stephane Bouchard) third and Naughty Marietta (Morrill, Jr.) was fourth.
Park N Orchard, a daughter of Art Major co-owned by (trainer) George Zitone and Jay Platt, stepped up from the Excelsior ranks for her first sire stakes wins (2-for-4 overall).
Sears doubled up in the third ($56,792) division, as Jesses Lady ($14) scooted up the cones to get past 3-10 fave Hit the Curb (Morrill, Jr.) by a neck in a maiden-breaking 1:56. Aria J (Tetrick), stuck in a three-hole, rallied late for third.
Jesses Lady, an Art Major filly trained by Chris Ryder for Henderson Farms, earned that first win in her fourth try.
The fourth ($57,892) NYSS grouping was won by a down-the-road Silk Pajamas (Jason Bartlett, $6.10) in 1:57. Negating her six inside rivals quickly, she held off an improving Alhambra (Mark Lewis) by 2-1/4 lengths, with 9-5 choice JK Allthatjazz (Tetrick) along for third and Shes My Major (Mark MacDonald) fourth.
Silk Pajamas, a Bettors Delight miss, trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Purple Haze Stables, has a couple of wins in four tries.
Tuesday night's ($57,892) sire stakes finale was won by Spell To Cast (Tetrick, $3.20), saving the favourites from being completely whitewashed.
Spell To Cast, gingerly-handled and wide in the turns, nonetheless prevailed over a pace-setting See Major (Bouchard) by a neck in 1:57.3. Odds On Cygnus (Brennan) was third.
Spell To Cast, a daughter of American Ideal co-owned by The Bays Stable, Stake Your Claim Stable and Daniel Baer, has now won twice in three first-season starts.
A special Tuesday night salute to Only Rock N Roll (Dan Dube), who rallied to win the $11,500, eighth-race pace at 56-1. The $114 win mutuel was the largest locally this season.
(Yonkers Raceway)