On Monday night, Yonkers Raceway hosted the New York Sire Stakes' Lew Barasch Trot for two-year-old colts and geldings. The event honours the memory of 'Tootie,' the man who help turn Roosevelt Raceway into a household word(s) during the sport’s golden age and made the International Trot a world-class happening.
Whether this group of plebes eventually becomes world class is to be determined, but 1-5 favourite Dayson (Jeff Gregory, $2.40) has proven to be the leader of the gang thus far.
Starting from the pole in the second of two, $75,112 divisions, the Conway Hall gelding had to work for it. He took the best shots from second-choice Reve Royale (Brian Sears), then spurted away to a 2¼-length win in a zippy, life-best 1:57.4.
[Dejarmbro owns the two-year-old colt local record (1:57 in 2010), while the Tirade Hanover has the frosh gelding standard (1:57.3 in 2012).]
Dog Gone Cupid (Tyler Buter), put in play early, did get second, with Reve Royale third.
For Dayson, trained by Howard Okusko for co-owners Margaret & Amy Butler, it was his fifth win in as many seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28.60, with the triple returning $60.
“He was tested tonight, and he was up to it,” Gregory said, referring to Reve Royale first stringing Dayson out to get the lead in Turn 2, then pulling pocket early in the final turn.
The opening Barasch event saw Sears and second choice Allerage Echo ($6.10), leaving from post position No. 6 and go from first lead to first home. In between, he surrendered the front to Credevie (Trond Smedshammer), before blowing by in the lane.
The final margin was 2¼ lengths (same as Dayson) in a life-best 1:59.4, with Master Class (George Brennan) a first-up second and Royal Bachelor (Jason Bartlett) third. Credevie, the favourite at just over even-money, faded to fourth.
For Allerage Echo, a Crazed gelded trained by George Ducharme for owner Ken Jacobs, he’s now 3-for-5 to begin his career after a third consecutive win The exacta paid $55, with the triple returning $221.
“I bought him off his first two qualifiers,” Jacobs said. “He impressed me, but I thought his gait was too high. George (Ducharme) said he has some talent, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the sire stakes season.”
(Yonkers)