Yonkers Raceway hosted the $156,000 New York Sire Stakes Jim Crawford Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings on Friday night (August 24).
Three divisions, worth $52,000 each, comprised the event.
The opening group offered minimal suspense, as 1-5 favourite Major Blake (Jason Bartlett, $2.40) had an open lead virtually from the outset. From post position No. 3, he rolled through intervals of :28.2, :58, 1:26.2 and 1:55. Major Blake disposed of a loosely-pocketed World On Edge (Matt Kakaley) by a couple of lengths, with Chatelroll (Jordan Stratton) a wide and rallying third. Buddy Hill (Dexter Dunn) wound up a first-up fourth.
For Major Blake, an Art Major colt co-owned by trainer Sam Schillaci, Howard Berke and Matthew Bencic, the win was his third in four seasonal/NYSS starts. The exacta paid $8.60, the triple returned $27.20 and the superfecta paid $86.50.
The second go-round saw Sheppard Pace winner Hickfromfrenchlick (Ray Schnittker, $5.20) stalk pole-sitting 13-10 fave Melodies Major (Tyler Buter), then make up some distance to get him and get away (:28.2, :56.4, 1:24.2, life-best 1:53.3). From post No. 2, Hickfromfrenchlick had to chase from two and a quarter lengths off the final turn before winning by a half-length. Cup Fan (Marcus Miller) and Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) were third and fourth, respectively.
For second choice Hickfromfrenchlick, a son of So Surreal co-owned by his trainer/driver, Nolamaura Racing and Thomas Spatorico, he’s now three-for-four this season. The exacta paid $9.60, the triple returned $29.60 and the superfecta paid $117.50.
The third and final sire stakes get-together was won by polester Arties Ideal (Miller, $14). After stuffing Rock America (catch-driver George Brennan) in behind early, ‘Artie’ rated it well (:28, :58, 1:27, 1:55.1). He put away both a first-up Bicorne Hanover (Kakaley) and a second-over, 4-5 choice Reigning Deo (Stratton). Arties Ideal defeated Reigning Deo by a length and a half, with Bicorne Hanover third and Jet Rock (Jim Marohn Jr.) recovering from an early break to finish fourth.
For third choice Arties Ideal, a son of American Ideal owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable and trained by Erv Miller, the win was his second in four ’18 tries (two-for-three in statebred ranks). The exacta paid $36, the triple returned $83.50 and the superfecta paid $211.50.
Friday night’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace was won by Lispatty (Mark MacDonald, $14.80) in 1:52.2.
Saturday night (August 25), the Raceway offers a pair of $40,000 elimination races for the 63rd Messenger Stakes, second jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown.
A friendly reminder that Saturday's Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $3,500.54 and a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The guarantee is in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races seven through 11 on Saturday night. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Friday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)