Yonkers Raceway Thursday night hosted the New York Sire Stakes Bruce Hamilton Pace for three-year-old fillies.
A set of $82,437 divisions made up the event, which once again honoured the memory of a certified mover and shaker (as well as a fairly decent soul) in the state’s racing and breeding program.
The opening Hamilton group saw Soft Idea (Scott Zeron, $15.40), from post position 4, work out a perfect, second-over trip. She was able to get the lane jump on pocket sitter Milky Way Rae (Jim Morrill, Jr.), whipping that one by a neck in 1:54.3. Encore Deo (George Brennan) was third.
Time on My Hands (Jason Bartlett), as the 4-5 favourite, led the lasses (:27.4, :57.2, 1:26), but caved badly through the stretch and finished last—beaten 10-1/4 lengths—among the seven.
For third choice Soft Idea, an American Ideal filly trained by Linda Toscano for co-owning stables South Mountain, Bay’s Radio Racing and Little E LLC, it was her third win in eight seasonal starts.
“The trip worked out great and she seems to race better from off the pace,” Zeron said.
The second sire stakes soiree saw pole-sitting, odds-on Dime A Dance (Matt Kakaley, $3, part of entry) took over from Wishy Washy Girl (Morrill, Jr.), then complete her civic duties (:27.4; :57.3, 1:25.4, 1:53.3).
Dime A Dance defeated 27-1 shot WWG by a length, with No Clouds Bluechip (Zeron) a first-up third.
For Dime A Dance, a Roll With Joe filly trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Our Horse Cents and J&T Silva Stables and Blue Chip Bloodstock, she’s now 4-for-9 this season.
“She’s much better now,” Kakaley said. “Early in the season, she was flat, but she’s finishing better the past few starts.”
Sire stakes continue Friday night, with the $150,224 Milt Taylor Trot (two-year-old colts/geldings). Two divisions (races 6 and 7) at $75,112 each comprise the event.
(Yonkers)