Yonkers Raceway hosted the $227,488 New York Sire Stakes Lew Barasch Trot for two-year-old colts and geldings on Friday night.
Two, five-horse divisions -- at $113,744 each -- made up the event, which honoured the memory of the iconic Hall of Fame harness publicist from the sport's golden age. Many of "Tootie's" family, including his wife, Bunny, and friends were on hand for winner's circle presentations.
The first event produced a dead-heat between Flyhawk El Durado (Mark MacDonald) and even-money favourite Credit Fashion (Brian Sears). The former, from post position No. 2, led the latter, from post No. 3, through intervals of :30.1, 1:00 and 1:30.2.
However, Credit Fashion made up a couple of lengths in the lane to match 'El Durado' on the money in 1:58.3. The other three entrants broke, with JS Trotting Bob (Jim Morrill Jr.) recovering to grab third.
As for the co-stars, third choice Flyhawk El Durado ($3.80 in sharing the win), a Conway Hall colt trained by Mark Ford for owner Martin Scharf, he's now five-for-eight after a third consecutive win. Credit Fashion ($2.50 in sharing the win), a son of Credit Winner trained by Jim Campbell for owner Fashion Farms, it was his fourth win in nine seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $8.80 (Flyhawk El Durado first) and $5.80 (Credit Fashion first), respectively. There was no triple wagering due to the abbreviated assemblage.
The second grouping had odds-on Cash Me Out (Mickey McGivern) lead from the pole and from the start (:30.4, 1:00.3, 1:29.4, 1:59.3). Bearing out a bit through the lane, he nonetheless defeated a sharp, debuting Expressive Action (Sears) by three-quarters of length, with General Bill Brown (Morrill) third.
For Cash Me Out, a son of Cash Hall trained by Cheryl McGivern for owner Traylor Racing, has four wins and two seconds in seven seasonal starts (only board blemish a first-placed-fifth at Saratoga last week). The exacta paid $17.20, while, again, there was no triple wagering.
Friday night’s pair of $37,000 Open Handicaps were won by a from-last Hulas Z Tam (Pat Lachance, $17) in the Filly and Mare Pace in 1:53.4 and trotter Can I Say (Dan Dube, $8.50) in 1:56.2, leaving him with a five-for-five record locally.
The $1.8 million New York Night of Champions, with eight $225,000 sire stakes finals comprising the richest night of racing in the state, is set for Saturday, Sept. 28. Post positions shall be drawn Tuesday afternoon.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)