Yonkers Raceway, back at it Monday night after Hurricane Irene left town, offered the $248,710 New York Sire Stakes Pat Quaglietta Trot for two-year-old fillies
. The event remembered a harness "lifer," who served with distinction for several organizations, including the U.S. Trotting Association, Harness Horsemen's International and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.
Five divisions, including three off the 13-race card, went postward.
Odds-on Miss Fidget (catch-driver Jim Morrill, Jr., $2.70) won the first wagering event ($49,922), going the distance (:29; 59.1 and 1:29.1) in 2:00.1. Pittstop Ruthie (Dan Daley) closed ranks after sitting a loose pocket, but missed a length-and-a-quarter, with Latte Hall (Jim Raymer) third. Roux the Day (Trond Smedshammer) also closed well, but found herself in tight quarters late.
For Miss Fidget, a homebred daughter of Conway Hall owned by Dr. Patty Hogan and trainer by husband Eddie Lohmeyer, she now has four wins, two seconds and two thirds in eight starts, with earnings over $72,000.
"I wanted to give Jimmy (Morrill) a chance to sit behind her," Lohmeyer said. "We've been trying to get her to relax a bit, she was very wound up behind the gate, so he let her do her thing.
"(Miss Fidget) had just been ready to do her job from Day One," Lohmeyer said. "Patty and I couldn't be happier with her with the way she's raced."
The evening's final ($49.922) statebred grouping went to Kristins Victory (Steve Smith, $8.30), as the second choice held off 17-10 fave Barbara Goldstein by a nose in 2:01 (:31, 1:01.1, 1:31.2). Fancy (Stephane Bouchard) was third, beaten 2-1/2 lengths. Smith, moving inexorably toward 3,000 career wins, also owns the daughter of Cash Hall, who's trained by Karen Garland.
For Kristins Victory, she now has three wins, three seconds and two thirds in eight first-season tries (earnings in excess of $77,000).
"She didn't sell for a lot ($5,000), but I knew her family and though she was worth a shot," Smith said. "She tries every start, and you can’t ask for more than that.
"I wanted to be careful around the first turn with her, because since I'm also the owner and we're racing for about $50,000, you don't want to do
anything stupid."
The trio of sire stakes, non-bettors, worth $49,922, $49,922 and $49,022, respectively, were won by:
• For A Dancer (by Conway Hall); owner Bluestone Farms / trainer Joe Holloway / driver Jeff Gregory; (now 6-for-6) 1:59.2;
• Lima Playmate (by Credit Winner); co-owners (trainer-driver Ray Schnittker), Lima Playmate Stb; (now 7-for-9) 2:00;
• American Lassie (by American Mike); owner Bob Key / trainer Charlie Norris / driver Dan Dube; (first purse win) 2:02.1.
(Yonkers Raceway)