New York Sire Stakes freshmen converged upon Westchester Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway graciously hosting the $238,137 Milt Taylor Trot for colts and geldings
. Seven consecutive divisions went postward.
Favoured Petruchio (Mike Lachance) began his pari-mutuel career with a track photographer meet-and-greet in the first division.
The son of Plesac, who inherited the lead when Lucid Thoughts (Jim Morrill, Jr.) misbehaved in Turn 3, rolled to a 6-1/2 length victory over Tober (Stephane Bouchard), with Super Manning (Wally Hennessey) third and a recovering Steubenmeanmachine (Jim Marohn, Jr.) rounding out the gimmicks.
Petruchio, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Richard Balog, returned $4.60.
People's preference Neal (Jason Bartlett) proved quite nimble in the second division.
Despite being pushed wide down the backside the second time when leader Surface Tension (Dan Daley) was more than bit green, Neal forged forward. He then engaged longshot Ridethewind Chrys (Jeff Gregory) through the lane. The former appeared to be going by when the latter broke. Neal edged away to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.4. Forceful Action (Bouchard) was another 4-1/2 lengths back in third.
Neal, a Credit Winner colt trained by Jim Campbell for owner Fashion Farms, returned $4.50.
Thursday night's other NYSS events went to:
• Quantum Cashman (by Cash Hall) 2:03.3
• Rhythmic Moves (by Malabar Man) 2:03.3
• Pay The Winner (by Credit Winner) 2:01.3
• Tigers Too Good (by Conway Hall) 2:05.2
• Double Up Hanover (by Credit Winner) 2:05.4
Yonkers Raceway's premier trotting classics, the 56th Yonkers Trot and its companion event, the Hudson Filly, are set for Saturday night. Purses are $573,770 (Yonkers) and $299,050 (Hudson), and there's also the ever-popular T-shirt giveaway.
(Yonkers Raceway)