BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, September 28, 2013–Yonkers Raceway Saturday night hosted
the richest night of racing in the state, the 24th edition of the New York
Night of Champions. The $1.8 million event offered eight, $225,000 sire stakes
finals for 2-and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
So as to offend anyone, here's the chronologically-compiled skinny...
Crawford Farms 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot—Flyhawk El Durado (Mark
MacDonald, $10.60)
took
it the house from post position No. 4 (29.2; 1:00.2; 1:29.3; 1:58) for a fifth
consecutive (NYSS) win. His dead-heat dance partner of a week ago here, Credit
Fashion (Brian Sears), chased this night from the pocket, but missed a neck as
the 2-5 choice. Cash Me Out (Mickey McGivern) rallied from third from the
eight-hole.
For second choice "El Durado," a s son of Conway Hall owned by Martin
Scharf and trained by Mark Ford, he is now 6-for-9 this season. The exacta paid
$14.60, with the triple returning $108.50.
"You never worry about him trotting out of there, and that's a big
help," MacDonald said. "He felt good in the lane."
Allerage Farm 2-Year-Old Filly Trot—Late-season scourge Market Rally
(John Cummings Jr., $10.40), from post No. 5, did her damage from third over.
She picked up division leader Maud Blue Chip (Sears) by a neck in 1:59.1.
"Maud," the 7-10 favorite, went first up-and-over Flyhawk
Falina (Dan Daley) before the three-quarters (:29, :59, 1:29.2), but could not
stave off the winner. Exotic Form (Jason Bartlett), stuck in when he
entrymate quit on the lead, rallied for third.
For third choice Market Rally, a Cash Hall miss ($7,500 @ Morrisville),
co-owned by (trainer) Megan Wilson and Johnny Yoder, it was her fourth win in
10 '13 tries (3-for-3 here). The exacta paid $23.20, with the triple returning
$47.40.
"I just waited for the dust to settle and let her do her
thing," Cummings said.
"We thought she was a just a good filly from a good family,"
Wilson said, adding the Breeders Crown may be next on the dance card.
Winbak Farm 2-Year-Old Filly Pace—Sweetnsinful (Jimmy Whittemore) tried
taking no prisoners (:27.1, 56.2, 1:26), including stuffing a
fumbly-gaited Ali Blue (Jim Morrill Jr.) into a three-hole. The two-hole was
locked up by Bettor Business (Dan Dube), and wound up serving her well.
From post No. 2, Bettor Business ducked inside, getting to the winner and
prevailed by three-quarters of a length in a maiden-breaking 1:54.2. Ali Blue,
as the 4-5 choice, was third.
For fourth choice Bettor Business, a daughter of Bettor's Delight ($42,000 @
Harrisburg) co-owned (as Triple D Stables) by trainer Scott DiDomenico and JFE Enterprises,
she returned $27.40 (partnered with Scandalicious) for that initial win in nine
seasonal tries. The exacta paid $138.50, with the triple returning $124.
Stirling Brook Farms 3-Year-Old Filly Trot—The aptly-named--and
odds-on--Bouncing Bax (Bartlett, $2.70), who began the season losing her first
nine races, romped to a fifth consecutive win (:28.4, :59, 1:27.2, 1:56.2),
From post No. 4, she took over from Barn Babe (Cummings Jr.), then "ran
away" and hid.
The margin was fourth lengths in a life-best effort. Second went to Royal
Malinda (Daley), with Alphadoodle (MacDonald) third.
For Bouncing Bax, a Credit Winner lass ($30,000 @ Harrisburg) trained by Jim
Raymer for Harbor Racing Stable, the resume is five wins in 14 seasonal starts.
The exacta paid $16.40, with the triple returning $47.
Morrisville College Equine Institute 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot—Crazy
About Pat (Eric Goodell, $8.50) could not have asked for a better set-up. From
post No. 4, he was perched in the pocket as E L Rocket (George Brennan) dealt
with a first-up, 7-5 choice Tirade Hanover (Morrill Jr.) through fractions of
:27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.3.
"Pat" edged off the cones, he edged past Tirade Hanover,
winning by a half-length in 1:55, with E L Rocket third.
For fourth choice Crazy About Pat, a homebred son of Crazed owned by
(co-breeder) Patricia Stable and trained by Noel Daley, he's now 8-for-18 this
season. The exacta paid $20.20, with the triple returning $67.
"I raced him earlier in the season, and I was very fortunate to get the
drive back," Goodell said. "I had the choice to go in and out,
and things worked very well. He's a talented colt."
Genesee Valley Farm 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace—What can we say about
He's Watching?
Try this. An eighth win as many starts, a 1:52.2 track record for his weight
class--also matching a world record--after a 6¼ -length beat-down. Leaving from
the pole with Morrill Jr. in tow, He's Watching worked around barn buddy Major
Trick (Bartlett), then set sails through stations of :28.1, :56.1 and 1:24.4
(equal halves of :56.1 for the 1-9 favorite, after some fast math).
Big Boy Dreams (Sears) was a first-up second, with Major Trick third.
For He's Watching ($2.20), a son of American Ideal ($3,000 @ Harrisburg)
co-owned by (trainer) Dave Menary, Brad Gray and Michael Guerrero, he's now
earned $291,722. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $6.80.
"I don't where the bottom is," Morrill said. "He's a small
colt, but he doesn't race like one. I was just letting him cruise."
"This is the icing for him," Menary said. "He's been
life-changing for me. He's probably done for the season, so while the others
are down at Lexington, the Breeders Crown and the Matron, we can get a head
start toward next season."
Cameo
Hills Farm 3-Year-Old Filly Pace—Track record-holder for this division,
Social Scene (Brennan, $10.20) did her damage as per usual...from off the pace.
After Winbak Heavenly (Jim Marohn Jr.) and defending champ Summertime Lea
(Morrill Jr.) slugged it out early (:27.1, :55.4), Social Scene--from post No.
6--went up and after the leader.
She zipped by 4-5 fave "Lea"--who was bothered by a first-turn
breaker--opening five lengths by the 1:23.1 three-quarters. The margin was a
half-dozen at the wire in 1:53, with longshots Cheyenne Miriam (Andy Miller),
Springforth (Larry Stalbaum) and Ballineen (Sears) upping the exotics.
For second choice Social Scene, an American Ideal ma'am ($37,000 @ Lexington)
co-owned by West Wins Stable and Steve Calhoun and trained by Casie Coleman,
she's won half of her 14 '13 tries. The exacta paid $214.50, the triple
returned $2,198 and the superfecta paid $76,990 (base $2 payout, 10-cent ticket
paid $3,849.50). Summertime Lea faded to seventh.
"When she's right, there's no filly that can hold her out," Brennan
said. "She'd has some breathing issues, but she was sharp tonight."
Blue Chip Farms 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace—A third consecutive
"lonely horse" to end the sires, as 3-10 choice Fool Me Once
(Sears, $2.70) gave nothing else a shot. From post No. 5, it was
effortless (:27.2, :56.2, 1:24.3, 1:51.3).
The separation was 8½ lengths at the end, with Bettor Than You (Goodell) second
at 42-1, ahead of 30-1 Framed Art (MacDonald).
For Fool Me Once, a son of Art Major ($70,000 @ Harrisburg) co-owned by
(trainer) Mark Austin and Daniel Smith, it was his 10th win in 14 seasonal
starts (14-for-24 lifetime, earnings over $612,000). The exacta paid
$42.40, with the triple returning $313.50.
"He's a cut above the sire stakes horses," Sears said. "He was
comfortable and I get let him go on with it."
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.
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