It's hard to consider these auditions, what with the resumes of the parties involved, but a pair of Yonkers Raceway stakes winners return to town Friday night with eyes toward another stakes engagement
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New York Sire Stakes champ Anndrovette and Lismore winner Its De Lovely are both using their overnight starts as litmus tests for the upcoming Lady Maud Pace.
Anndrovette, unseen since winning the $200,000 state-bred finale late last month, was sent into the $42,500 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace. Usual escort Jason Bartlett drives from Post 4 in the sixth race.
. The daughter of Riverboat King, co-owned by trainer Mark Kesmodel, Joe Davino and Jeffrey Bamond, enters with five consecutive victories and more than $309,000 on account this season. Her 1:52.3 effort in late August established a track record for soph fillies.
Its De Lovely, winner of the $171,565 Lismore Pace in mid-June, is back for a Westchester return. The daughter of Four Starzzzz Shark, co-owned by her driver, Jeff Gregory and Alison Giorgianni and trained by Jim Giorgianni, is 5-for-17 with earnings in excess of $210,000 thus season. She drew Post 7 in the $27,500 seventh race.
Both Bartlett and Gregory indicated that the Lady Maud is next on their respective dance cards, provided the fillies race well Friday night.
Its De Lovely is eligible to the Lady Maud Pace, while the connections of Anndrovette would have to come up with $30,000 to buy in.
Eliminations - if necessary - for both the Lady Maud are Messenger Stakes are scheduled for a week from Saturday night (Oct. 30), with the finals, estimated at $250,000 (Lady Maud) and $500,000 (Messenger), going the next Saturday (Nov. 6).
(Yonkers Raceway)