New York’s richest night of racing is set to return to Yonkers Raceway this Saturday (Sept. 12) with the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions. Eight $225,000 finals featuring the best state-bred two- and three-year-olds will be contested.
Post time will be at 7:12 p.m. A full list of entries can be found here.
American Courage (American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip) will be heavily favoured among the two-year-old pacing colts. He's been a perfect seven for seven for trainer Travis Alexander and driver Matt Kakaley, including four wins in the NYSS. The freshman has proven he knows how to win at Yonkers, as he's posted three wins on the track this year, including a victory in the $104,250 MGM Springfield Stakes final. American Courage is set to start from Post 5 for owner Fiddler’s Creek Stables.
Test Of Faith (Art Major-Cannae Cammie) will be the filly to watch, as the points leader will look to cement her place as the best two-year-old pacer this season. In five NYSS starts, she’s recorded four wins and a second-place finish. She’s also the top earner among two-year-olds in the series this year with $145,250 for trainer Brett Pelling and owners Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Eddie Gran. She is scheduled to start from Post 6 in the final.
Ambassador Hanover (Chapter Seven-Angel Eyes Hanover) is undefeated in four NYSS starts. Ambassador Hanover is trained by Ake Svanstedt, who also owns with Howard Taylor, Judith Taylor, and Order By Stable.
Destined To Dance (Chapter Seven-Go Go Dancer) stands atop the points among two-year-old trotting fillies at a perfect five-for-five in NYSS starts this season. John Butenschoen trains for co-owner/breeder Crawford Farms and co-owners Heritage Standardbreds and Rich Preziotti. Destined To Dance drew Post 3 for her final.
Standout rivals Major Betts (Art Major-Southwind Johanne) and Splash Brother (So Surreal-Sugarcoated) will be favourites looking to settle their score in the final for three-year-old pacing colts. Major Betts is trained by Mark Harder, who shares ownership with Joe Jannuzzelli and Deena Frost. Splash Brother is trained by Ray Schnittker, who co-owns with Steven Arnold, Tammy Flannery and Nolamaura Racing.
Hen Party (Roll With Joe-My Lady Day) sits atop the points standing for three-year-old pacing fillies with four wins in five NYSS starts. This past week, the Empire Breeders Classic winner tied the Saratoga track record for her division with a 1:52 score. She is set to start from Post 3 for trainer Tony Alagna and owner Crawford Farms Racing.
Chaptiama (Chapter Seven-Crediama) will want to avenge a second-place finish in last year’s final as a two-year-old in what’s proven to be the most competitive division in the NYSS this season: three-year-old trotting colts. Chaptiama is facing challengers Hobbs, Barn Holden, Berkery J, and Bourbon Express, all finalists last year. Chaptiama is trained by Trond Smedshammer for owner Purple Haze Stables.
Top overall earner in the NYSS this season, Love A Good Story (Chapter Seven-Celebrity Lovin) will look to bolster her already impressive $281,197 in purse money in the final for three-year-old trotting fillies. Finishing the season with a perfect NYSS record will be the goal for trainer Julie Miller and owners Pinske Stables, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Daniel Plouffe.
“We saw great performances from our New York-breds in what proved to be a very competitive season, despite it being a little shorter than usual due to the current pandemic,” said M. Kelly Young, executive director, Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. “We’d like to congratulate all the owners, trainers and drivers representing the New York Sire Stakes at the Night of Champions, and thank all of our participants throughout our program for their flexibility this season.”
Race sponsors for the event include New York-based breeders and institutions Allerage Farm, Blue Chip Farms, Cameo Hills Farm, Crawford Farms and Winbak Farm.
The finals for the NYSS Excelsior Series are scheduled for Sept. 11 at Tioga Downs, post time is 3 p.m. The County Fair finals were raced on Sept. 6 at Goshen Historic Track. A live stream of the event can be viewed here.
(Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund)
Does anyone know if Yonkers
Does anyone know if Yonkers still plans to close for the year after Saturday night's racing program? All NY State casinos have just reopened.