New York Sire Stakes began its current downstate detour Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $251,000 Lew Barasch Trot for two-year-old colts
and geldings.
Six divisions (three off the card, three on) honored the memory of "Tootie," whose contributions to the sport during its heyday - think Roosevelt Raceway and the International Trot - made him a Harness Hall of Famer as well as a friend to countless people both in and out of this industry.
Trainer George Ducharme and driver Jeff Gregory authored their own daily double, winning consecutive statebred events with Imagistic ($12.80) in a life-best 2:01.1, and A Penny Earned ($7.60) in a night's-fastest 1:58.2. Both are Conway Hall colts.
The former, owned by Raymond Campbell, was second-over behind 3-5 choice Flyhawk Jester (Dan Daley). He went wide and whipped that one by three-quarters of a length. Barnegat Lane (John Wagner) was third. Imagistic is 2-for-3 to begin his career.
A Penny Earned, as the third choice, took to the passing lane like a veteran, disposing of pace-setting Southwind Austin (Andy Miller) by a half-length. Delano (Ray Schnittker) was an antsy-pocket third as the 7-5 favourite. Trainer Ducharme co-owns, along with Paul Fontaine, Alfred Ross and Nicola Oliva. The winner is now 4-for-5 this summer, including 2-for-2 at Yonkers Raceway.
"What I learned about (Imagistic) was that he does just what he has to do," Gregory said. "As far as A Penny Earned, I was really impressed with him tonight. He trotted a big last half, and I think he has a future."
The first wagering Barasch division saw Coraggioso (Phil Fluet, $5.40) steal away (:32., 1:03.3 and 1:34) before throwing down a :28.3 kicker (2:02.3) for the easiest of victories.
The homebred son of Conway Hall - his job made even simpler when both of his main rivals in 11-10 fave Credicity (George Brennan) and Archangel (Jason Bartlett) jumped - defeated 38-1 rank outsider Armed Dangerously (Eric Goodell) by four lengths. Stirling Adonis (Daley) was third.
Coraggioso, co-owned by his breeders Tom Durkin and Joe Spadaro, now has three (consecutive) wins in six '11 tries.
Thursday's three NYSS non-bettors were won by:
• War Cry Hall (by Cash Hall); co-owners Burke Racing, Joe DiScala, Jr./ trainer Ron Burke / driver Jim Pantaleano; 2:00.4
• Royal Shyster (by RC Royalty); co-owners Albert Crawford, Richard Lombardo, Ann-Mari Daley, Robert Pergament / trainer-driver Dan Daley; 2:00.4
• Slugfest (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer-driver) Ray Schnittker, Tom Vassiliou, Nick Tallarico; 2:01.2
New York Sire Stakes continue Saturday night with the $229,492 Jim Crawford Pace (three-year-old colts/geldings), Monday night with the $243,176 Michael Sorentino Trot (also for three-year-old colts/geldings) and Tuesday night with the $253,560 Tuckahoe Pace (two-year-old colts/geldings).
(Yonkers Raceway)