Yonkers Raceway Saturday, September 23 hosted the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Michael Sorentino Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings.
It was the last of 16 sire stakes legs, leading up to the October 14 New York ‘Day’ of Champions. That afternoon, eight $225,000 NYSS finals will take place during Yonkers’ $3.3 million International Trot matinee program.
A pair of groupings, at $85,250 and $86,750, respectively, comprised the NYSS.
Seven and Seven and driver George Brennan were victorious in the first division, winning in 1:55.
Making just his second sire stakes appearance of the season, Seven and Seven, from post position four, took over from Eye Ofa Tiger AS after a :28.1 opening quarter. He continued leading through intervals of :57.2 and 1:26 in front of Top Flight Angel, the 3-4 favourite.
Seven and Seven opened two-and-a-quarter lengths into the lane, winning by two-and-a-half lengths at the end. Top Flight Angel was chased in second, with Eye ofa Tiger AS third.
For second choice Seven and Seven, a Chapter Seven homebred Ontario co-owned by trainer Tom Durand, wife, June, and Allan Smith, it was his second win in nine seasonal starts.
“I didn’t know anything about him and drove him accordingly,” Brennan said. ”I did know that Tom would send them here with purpose.”
“We made a decision before the season to race him in Grand Circuit events,” Durand said. “We didn’t have much luck with that, so we tried him in the final sire stakes of the season. Maybe he can make the final.”
Saturday’s second Sorentino division had even-money Guardian Angel AS working out a second-over trip from post three, winning in 1:56.
Zach's Zoomer was done after fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:26.3. Swell Chap took over and opened a length lead in and out of the final turn, but couldn’t stave off Guardian Angel AS, with Icanflylikeanangel rallying for third after finding himself pocketed to a tiring leader.
For Guardian Angel AS, a son of Archangel trained by Anette Lorenzton for co-owners ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson, it was his eighth win in 15 tries this season.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)