Tuesday night was Ladies Night in Westchester, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $239,535 New York Sire Stakes Mount Vernon Pace for three-year-old fillies.
Thirty-five femmes were daintily divided into a quintet of $47,907 events, with divisional standout Artimittateslife (Stephane Bouchard) turning in the night's fastest effort in 1:54.2. Leaving from post position No. 4, the 3-10 choice had to patiently wait her turn before grabbing the big chair.
Artimittateslife made the lead around Won Night Stand (Ron Pierce) after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile, thus ended any and all suspense. She found a :57 intermission and 1:25.4 three-quarters, taking a two-length lead into the lane. 'Artimittates' won by 2 1/4 unpressured lengths, with Four Starz Melody (Jim Morrill, Jr.) edging Diva Delight (Keith Kash, Jr.) for bridesmaid honours.
Artimittateslife, a daughter of Art Major trained by Ed Hart for the Canadian contingent of Robert Young, Paul Gazzola and Brian Barton, now has seven wins, two seconds and two thirds in her dozen seasonal starts. The 2008 earnings are in excess of $370,000.
She rewarded her low-risk takers to the tune of $2.60, leading an $8.90 exacta and $23.80 triple.
"She just tries every week," Hart said. "She's learned to leave the gate (as a three-year-old), and that certainly helps when you race in New York."
Bouchard, in his continuing role as roving NYSS ambassador, is scheduled to double his destinations Wednesday, with Monticello by day and Batavia by night.
Tuesday night's other NYSS divisions went to four Bettors Delight fillies.
Yannick Gingras drove Hannah Isabel to victory in 1:54.3 for trainer Jean Drolet and co-owners Marilyn and Heiman Gross of New York.
Morrill, Jr. also found his way to the winner's circle with Ladycino in a clocking of 1:55 for trainer Larry Rathbone and owner M & L of Delaware Inc.
Penny Pincher and driver Keith Kash, Jr. got the job done in their division for trainer Jim Perry and co-owners William and Jack Heinz of Ohio in 1:56 and Delightful Diva gave Pierce a NYSS double and pleased trainer Jessica Okusko and the Purple Haze Stables LLC of Fairport, New York with her score in 1:59.
New York Sire Stakes action continues at Yonkers on Thursday night, with four divisions of the $233,863 Tuckahoe Pace for sophomore colts and geldings. Friday night offers the $197,500 Jim Meagher Pace, quartered for two-year-old colts and geldings.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)