YONKERS,
NY, Saturday, July 7, 2012—Archangel (Jim Morrill Jr.) may have lost the draw
Tuesday night, but he won everything that mattered Saturday night, wiring
Yonkers Raceway's 58th Yonkers Trot for 3-year-olds in a world-record
performance.
The mile of 1:54.1 was, in no particular order, a world record for 3-year-olds
on a half-mile track, a track record for that same weight class, the fastest
Yonkers Trot ever conducted here and an equalizer (Blacktuxwhitesocks) to the
all-age trotting track record.
The $445,594 first jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown was supposed to go through
world champion Googoo Gaagaa (Corey Callahan), he of the pacing sire, the
early-vocabulary-name, the humble upbringing and the freak speed.
Archangel, in play early from outside his four rivals, made the lead around 1-4
wagering choice "Googoo" well before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile.
Then, entering the second turn, the Googoo Gaagaa galloped.
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| Archangel wins the Yonkers Trot (Mike Lizzi Photo) |
That moved up Stormin Normand (John Campbell) and Market Share (Jeff Gregory)
one place each, while allowing Archangel to rate a soft, 29-second next
interval (:56.4 half).
From there, a :28.2 third quarter (1:25.1) maintained the lead, with Googoo
Gaagaa making up lengths to get back within shouting distance. He then copied
his clumsiness--in just about the exact same place--as Archangel owned a
length-and-a-half lead entering the lane.
No one was making any inroads, as Archangel hit the wire a
length-and-three-quarters to the good. Stormin Normand held off Market Share
for second, with Googoo Gaagaa fourth, beaten 15 lengths. Muscolo (Ray
Schnittker), another misbehaver, was distanced.
For Archangel, a statebred son of Credit Winner co-owned by (trainer) Peter
Arrigenna, Alan Hainsworth and Clare Semer. he returned $11.80 (third choice)
for his sixth (consecutive) win in seven seasonal starts. The $222,797 winner's
share more than doubled his previous season's earnings to date, which now stand
at $411,909.
There was win wagering only on this race.
"He's just a big, strong colt who has really impressed me," Morrill
said after winning his first Trot. "I actually think he's better racing
from behind, but Peter and I discussed it and I took a shot with him out of the
gate.
"I had no idea what was going on (with Googaa Gaagaa), but I knew we were
moving right along. I thought (Archangel) was a top horse, and he proved it
tonight. Peter has done a terrific job. I'm very happy to win a race like
this.”
"I can't say enough about him," the western New York (Piffard)-based
Arrigenna said of the former $120,000 yearling who's been a New York standout
for both of his racing seasons. “I said I didn’t know how fast he was, but he
showed it tonight.
"When we planned out his schedule, this race was always on the radar. I
took the trotting hobbles off (entering this season), because I wanted to
lengthen his stride. He's staked to everything. He deserved a chance to race
against the best, and I'm just ecstatic."
As for Googoo Gaagaa, his driver was searching for answers.
"I used him hard in the first turn, because I didn't want to get away
worse than second," Callahan said. "My plan was to retake after the
second turn, but when he entered the turn, he didn't feel right.
"He's usually such a solid-gaited horse. When he came back trotting, he
made up a lot of ground but once hit that turn again, he lost it.
"I honestly can't explain it."
The Trot's companion event, the $185,194 Hudson Filly, was a three-horse,
non-bettor. Millionairess Check Me Out (Schnittker), last season's divisional
champ who was making her small-track debut, waltzed to the tune of 1:56.2...the
fastest Hudson held here.
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| Check Me Out winning the Hudson Filly Trot (Mike Lizzi Photo) |
Stablemate Real Babe (Gregory) was second, beaten three-quarters of a length,
with Aunt Mel (Brent Holland) third.
Check Me Out, a daughter of Donato Hanover, has now won 18 of her 21 lifetime
starts ($1,349,924, including winner's share, plus leftover fourth and fifth
money)
She's co-owned by (trainer) Schnittker and Charles Iannazzo.
"I always enjoy racing my horses here, and I was glad Ray wanted to give
her a Yonkers start," Iannazzo--from nearby Tappan, NY--said.
The Raceway continues its normal five-night-per-week live schedule, with first
post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting
available around the NYRA
schedule.
