BY FRANK
DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, October 29, 2013--The gods of the open draw had their fun
at the expense of the eliminations winners, as Sunfire Blue Chip (1:52 a
week ago) and Lucan Hanover (1:52.2 a week ago) drew post positions Nos. 7 and
8, respectively, for Saturday night's $450,000 final of the Messenger Stakes.
The 58th Messenger, final jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown. goes as the eighth
race (approximate post time 9:30) on Yonkers Raceway's 13-race extravaganza. It
filtered out as such…
1-Odds On Equuleus (Brian Sears), 2-Ronny Bugatti (Jason Bartlett), 3-Word
Power (George Brennan), 4-Good Day Mate (Tim Tetrick), 5-Twilight Bonfire
(Tetrick also listed), 6-Lonewolf Currier (Brian Sears), 7-Sunfire Blue Chip
(Yannick Gingras), 8-Lucan Hanover (Dave Miller). Among the 3-year-olds
are six colts and two (Ronny Bugatti and Lucan Hanover) geldings.
Companion event, the $176,684 final of the Lady Maud for 3-year-old fillies,
goes as the sixth race (approximate post time 8:50)...1-Certified Ideal (Jim
Pantaleano), 2-Handsoffmycupcake (Dan Dube), 3-Antigua Hanover (Bartlett),
4-Charisma Hanover (Gingras), 5-Scandalous Hanover (Miler), 6-Live
Entertainment (Sears), 7-Parlee Beach (Tetrick) 8-Jerseylicious (Corey
Callahan). Note that "Scandalous" and "Parlee" race as a
Casie Coleman trainer (and part-owner) entry.
Charisma Hanover set a track record (1:51.4) for soph fillies in winning her
elim, while the other was one by Scandalous Hanover (1:54.3).
"Scandalous" was a $15,000 supplemental entrant into the Maud.
Drivers changes shall be made Wednesday morning.
