BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, October 19, 2013--It was generally a formful foray
Saturday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting eliminations for both the
Messenger Stakes--final jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown--and its companion
event, Lady Maud Pace.
Ten 3-year-olds--eight colts and two
geldings--tried the Messenger, while 14 soph ladies went at in the Maud.
The first of two, $40,000 elims for
the 58th Messenger saw 1-2 choice Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingas) prevail
first-over. Away third from post position No. 3, he stayed there are Lonewolf
Currier (Brian Sears) took over from Ronny Bugatti (catch-driver Dave Miller).
Those three appeared in some tight
early quarters (:28 quarter) before "Lonewolf" made the lead. After a
56-second half. Sunfire Blue Chip made his methodical move. He engaged the
leader in and out of the 1:23.4 three-quarters, with Lonewolf Currier taking a
length lead into the lane.
However, he was surrounded on both
sides, with "Sunfire" getting the best of "Ronny" by a head
in 1:52. Lonewolf Currier was third--beaten a length, with Good Day Mate (Tim
Tetrick) whipping Dedi's Dragon (George Brennan) for fourth...and a place in
next week's final.
For Sunfire Blue Chip. a son of American
Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter for co-owners Christina Takter, Brixton
Medical, R A W Equine & Jim and John Fielding, he returned $3
for his eighth win in 18 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $23.4, and there was
no triple wagering.
"He's become a lot better as
the season has gone on," Gingras said of Sunfire Blue Chip. "He
wasn't nearly this sound when he was here earlier (fourth in Art Rooney
Pace). Now, all he needs is a path where no one's in front of him, either
on the lead or first-up.
The second elim was simple enough for the gelding Lucan Hanover (Miller).
Winning the draw, the 35-cents-on-the-dollar choice claimed the lead from Word
Power (Brennan), then laid down the law through intervals of :27.4, :57, 1:25.1
and 1:52.2.
The final margin was a measured
three-quarters of a length over Word Power, with a first-up Twilight Bonfire
(catch-driver Tim Tetrick) third. Odds on Equuleus (Sears) won his private
battle with Bet the Moon (Gingras) for fourth...and that invite for next week's
finale.
For Lucan Hanover, a son of Western
Ideal trained by Casie Coleman for West Wins Stable and Christine Calhoun, he
returned $2.70 for his ninth win in 17 '13 tries. The exacta (two wagering choices)
paid $6.40.
"He's just a lot more
relaxed than he's been," Miller said. "I always try to score him down
with a purpose just so he knows it's time."
Gingras and Miller took turns
winning the elims for the Messenger after they alternated winning the
eliminations for the Lady Maud.
Gingras, doing the honors with
Charisma Hanover ($7.60) from post No. 3, blew past 7-10 fave
Somwherovrarainbow (Sears) and won for fun...fun being 4¼ lengths in 1:51.4.
That effort set a sew track record for her division.
Handsoffmycupcake (Dan Dube) chased
home the winner, with Certified Ideal (Jim Pantaleano) and Parlee Beach
(Tetrick) third and fourth, respectively, to earn their "come back"
invites.
While "Rainbow" was stopping
on the lead, it appeared that New York Sire Stakes champ Social Scene (Brennan)
was choking down in the pocket. That tandem finished sixth and seventh,
respectively.
"Charisma," a a daughter
of Dragon Again co-owned (as Burke Racing by (trainer) Ron Burke and Weaver
Bruscemi, she's now 10-for-16 this season. The exacta paid $146, with the
triple returning $235.
"I never took the plugs
out," Gingras said. "I know she went a big mile, but I expect her to
be ready for (the final)."
Miller and Scandalous Hanover
($3.20)--a $15,000 supplemental entrant--worked around pole-sitting longshot
Live Entertainment (catch-driver Gingras) right at a 28-second opening quarter.
After that, soft-subsections of
:57.1, 1:26.1 and 1:54.3 give "Scandalous" a two-length victory.
Antigua Hanover (Jason Bartlett) won the scrum for second, with Live
Entertainment and Jerseylicious (Cory Callahan) also making the final.
"That (front end) is really not her game." Miller said.
"She tends to wait on horses, but I take a chance and put her on the lead.
She does like to win."
Scandalous Hanover, a Dragon Again
miss, trained by Coleman for West Wins Stables and Adriano Sorella, is a .500
hitter (11-for-22) this season (6-for-7 since the barn change). The exacta paid
$67, with the triple returning $205.
The draw both stakes finals, worth $450,000 and $176,684, respectively, takes
place Tuesday afternoon.
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.
