Calchip's Brute gave nothing else a shot. Leaving from penultimate post
position No. 6, he worked around Political Desire (Jim Pantaleano) before a
snappy :27.4 opening quarter-mile. After a :58.2 intermission, 8-5 favorite
Affirmed Action (Jason Bartlett), who had tucked into a four-hole, was on the
prowl.
However, he never came close to the leader going toward the 1:27
three-quarters. It was Calchip's Brute taking a two-length lead into the lane,
then winning by an unpressured length in a season's-best 1:55.3. Second went to
Political Desire, with Sugar Queen Gabby (Brian Sears) a three-hole third. Big
Sky Storm (Jordan Stratton) and a tiring Affirmed Action rounded out the
payees.
For third-choice Calchip's Brute, a 7-year-old homebred son of Credit Winner
owned by Diane Giuliano and trained by Trond Smedshammer, it was his third win
seven seasonal starts (career earnings now over $908,000). The exacta paid $77,
with the triple returning $318.
The winner--way back when--was third (to Judge Joe) in the 2009 Yonkers Trot as
well as a standout New York Sire Stakes performer.
The weekly distaff derby saw Krispy Apple, prepping for the upcoming Blue Chip
Matchmaker in her first purse try since late November, roll from third-over.
Unhurried from post No. 7, she languished early while 7-5 fave Moonlit Dragon (Sears) put up intervals of :27 and :56.1. Queen of Royalty (Brent Holland) was pocketed, while Doc's Hop (Cat Manzi), crossing the border, came first-up. That one methodically advanced toward the 1:24.1 three-quarters, with Marie's Z Tam (Brennan) second-over.
Moonlit Dragon owned a length-and-a-quarter lead turning for home, but could
not close the sale. "Marie" went by "Moonlit," but Krispy
Apple went by 'em both, prevailing by a half-length in 1:53. Marie's Z Tam
settled for second, with Moonlit Dragon, Doc's Hope and Summer Snow (Larry
Stalbaum) grabbing the small change.
For fourth choice Krispy Apple, a 5-year-old
daughter of Western Hanover co-owned by Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino and trained
by PJ Fraley, her career resume is just under $820,000. The exacta paid
$115, the triple returned $300.50 and the superfecta paid $1,254.
Friday's card also included the largest local exacta payoff of the season, The
$26,000, seventh-race trot had 30-1 Free Rollin' (Stratton, $62) and 26-1
Master Pine (Pantaleano) combining for a $1,089 payoff.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, 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.
