New York Sire Stakes concluded its most recent downstate dalliance Tuesday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the Tuckahoe Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings
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The contestants were drawn and quartered, with odds-on Heston Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick, $2.50) turning in the swiftest effort, a sharp 1:53.4.
Leaving from post position three in the final ($63,665) grouping, Heston Blue Chip was more than a bit awkward in the first turn as Steelhead Hanover (Brian Sears) took no prisoners. He zipped through intervals of :27.3, :55.3 and 1:24.1. The second choice had a couple of lengths turning for home, but could not stall the steady surge of the people's preference, as Heston Blue Chip relentlessly wore down the leader. The margin was three-quarters of a length, with Union Man Hanover (Jeff Gregory) third.
For Heston Blue Chip, an American Ideal colt owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, he's now five for six this summer.
"He's a big colt who gets around the half as good as anyone," Tetrick said. "He did get away from me a bit on the first turn, which is something he's never done before. I give him a lot of credit. Other horses might not have recovered, but he did and beat a very good colt (Steelhead Hanover). He's impressed me."
The third Tuckahoe event ($63,665) was a wire job by Lawgiver Hanover (George Brennan, $5.20), who deftly controlled the race from post six to the tune of 28; 58.1; 1:26.4 and 1:54.2. Forever Just (Tetrick), the 3-5 favourite starting directly inside the winner, did not contest the lead early and paid for it late, beaten a length-and-a-quarter. Mr Erv (Sears) was third.
For Lawgiver Hanover, an Art Major colt co-owned by Rick Phillips, W Springtime Racing and Deena Frost and trained by Mark Harder, it was his fourth win in five first-season tries.
"He's been a total professional right from the start," Harder said. "Tonight, he went a big back half (:56.1) and did it effortlessly."
Tuesday night's pair of off-the-card sire stakes events, worth $62,565 and $63,665, were won by:
• Dynamic Youth (by Bettors Delight); co-owners Tucci, C&G Racing Stb, Silva, Silva / trainer Aaron Lambert / driver Brennan; 1:55.2
• Twin B Hollister (by Bettors Delight); co-owners (trainer) George Teague, Jr., Ted Gewertz, Fannin Racing / driver Cat Manzi; 1:56.4.
(Yonkers Raceway)