On Tuesday (August 6), Yonkers Raceway hosted the New York Sire Stakes' Jim Crawford Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings.
A $75,900 non-wagering race and a $77,300 pari-mutuel division comprised the event.
The non-wagering race was won by American Rebel.
Making the first lead from Post 2, American Rebel then deferred to Groovy Joe. The latter needed just about the entire :28.1 opening quarter-mile to get there.
However, American Rebel was none too thrilled about the pocket, so he extricated himself right at the :57.2 intermission. American Rebel had few issues through three-quarters in 1:25.4 heading towards a life-best 1:54, getting minimal grief from a first-up Cigars Ad Port before widening in the lane.
The final margin over Groovy Joe was two lengths, with Cigars and Port hanging around for third.
For American Rebel, a son of American Ideal co-owned by trainer Rob Harmon and Robert Robinson, it was his third win in seven career starts. Tyler Buter sat in the bike.
"He was really great today,” Buter said. “I knew if I had him in front, they wouldn’t catch us."
The evening’s wagering sire stakes event saw a scattered gathering between those that either broke or puled up.
Meanwhile, Freedom Warrior found his way out of the maiden ranks by pacing a mile and a few extra steps.
From Post 6, he was away fourth, ahead of some early 'misbehavers.' He was then wide up the backside the first time around another non-conformist.
Freedom Warrior had a loose target to chase in the presence of Splash Brother, with that one going right along though intervals of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:24.4.
The pursuer steadily closed ranks, getting past his rival late to win by three-quarter lengths in 1:54.2. It was about a dozen lengths back a tiring 11-10 choice Save Me A Dance, while 45-1 outsider R Maddy Blue Chip was fourth
For fourth choice Freedom Warrior, an American Ideal gelding owned by Forrest Bartlett and trained by Kevin Lare, it was the first win in what was his fifth career start. Dan Dube drove the $14.40 winner. The exacta paid $55.50, the triple returned $146 and there was no superfecta wagering (coupled entry in the race).
“He’s a very fast horse,” Dube said, adding, “You have to be careful with him.”
New York Sire Stakes continue downstate Thursday night (August 22) with the Pat Quaglietta Trot for two-year-old fillies.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)