Judge Joe, which will be making its first start for new connections, outdrew seven rivals and has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favourite for the $670,774 final of the Yonkers Trot
, to be contested Saturday, August 29 at Yonkers Raceway.
The draw was conducted at a press luncheon this afternoon.
The 55th edition of the Yonkers Trot has been carded as Race 10 on the 13-dash program. The race has an approximate post time of 10:10 p.m. (ET). First-race post time is 7:10 p.m.
Judge Joe, a New York-bred three-year-son of Credit Winner, won the first of last week's two $40,000 eliminations in a wire-to wire 1:58.3. Judge Joe enters Saturday with six victories and two seconds in nine seasonal starts (13-for-21 lifetime). His career bankroll of $523,789 is the highest in the field.
'Joe' was bred, owned, trained and driven by Team Ackerman (Doug and Doug R.) before being sold to European interests. The colt now races for trainer Jimmy Takter, who is looking for his first Yonkers Trot victory. Ron Pierce, who won this race 16 years ago with American Winner, has the driving assignment.
Another New York-bred Credit Winner colt, Calchips Brute (PP6, J. Morrill, Jr.) is the early 4-1 second choice. A fast-closing second to Broadway Bistro in last week's second elimination, the Trond Smedshammer-trained 'Brute' has hit the board in 10 of his dozen seasonal starts.
Broadway Bistro found itself behind the eight-ball for the final. The homebred son of Broadway Hall authored a 15-1, first-over upset in the second elim clocked in 1:58.1. Jason Bartlett, Yonkers' leading driver, remains as chauffeur for co-owners Arlene & Jules Siegel and trainer Jim Campbell.
The filly Celebrity Athena (PP7, M. Johansson) earned its berth in the final, finishing fourth a week ago despite throwing in some steps behind the gate.
The field for the 55th Yonkers Trot, with declared drivers and morning-line odds is listed below.
Post - Horse (Driver - Line)
1 - Judge Joe (Ron Pierce, 7-5)
2 - Truth In Action (Mike Lachance, 10-1)
3 - Neighsay Hanover (Cat Manzi, 12-1)
4 - Select Yankee (Stephane Bouchard, 6-1)
5 - Citation Lindy (Ray Schnittker, 12-1)
6 - Calchips Brute (Jim Morrill Jr., 4-1)
7 - Celebrity Athena (Marcus Johansson, 10-1)
8 - Broadway Bistro (Jason Bartlett, 8-1)
Saturday night's undercard is highlighted by the $327,985 final of the Hudson Filly Trot (Race 7), where Yursa Hanover (PP4, J. Gregory) is the 9-5 morning line favourite.
(With files from Yonkers)