BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, July 18, 2015—After
a couple of starts failing to grasp the “left foot, right foot” concept,
Autotune Hanover (Tyler Buter, $12) picked a good night to have a good night.
The $120,000 son of Art Major turned in a
solid, maiden-breaking effort Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s
$107,500 final of the Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace for 2-year-old colts and
geldings. It’s the Raceway’s premier “open” stakes event for first-season
pacers.
Winning the draw in the field of seven
colts and a lone (Artmagic) gelding, “Autotune” stung 7-10 favorite Tailgunner
Hanover (Ray Schnittker) a bit. Artmagic (Mark MacDonald), a 57-1 outsider, was
also put in play early, resulting in a spiffy, 27-second opening quarter-mile.
“Tailgunner,” one of two elimination
winners a week ago, continued through a rated, :29.4 next subsection (:56.4
half). He took the gang down the backside before Autotune Hanover made his
move.
It was decisive. Autotune Hanover rolled
from third, getting past the non-resisting fave at the 1:26.1 three-quarters.
He then opened a length-and-three-quarters turning for home, only to widen from
there.
His closest pursuers had interesting
trips. Do Over Hanover (Jason Bartlett), also an elim winner, was done no
favors from the eight-hole and was out the entire mile. Rodeo Rock (Dan Dube),
jammed in be the half while a handful to handle, extricated himself and
appeared to impede Gleneagles (George Brennan).
Autotune Hanover’s final margin was four
lengths in 1:54.3, second-fastest Sheppard ever (Hail the Taxi’s 1:54.1 in
2012). Rodeo Rock edged past ”Do Over” for second, then survived an inquiry to
stay there. War-N-Munn (Eric Goodell) and Endeavor (Pat Lachance) completed the
cashers, while Artmagic, Tailgunner Hanover and Gleneagles rounded out the
order.
For third choice Autotune Hanover,
co-owned by (trainer) Mark Harder, Peter Paul Venturini, Deena Frost and Rick
Phillips, it was that first win in three career starts. The exacta paid $71,
with the triple returning $387.
“Mark (Harder) just told me to drive him
with confidence,” Buter said. “Last week (in elims), he went a bit sideways,
but as soon as he hit the track tonight, he felt completely different. Mark
said he changed some things up, and he was much better.
“These are 2-year-olds, after all.”
Saturday’s pair of $48,000 Open Handicaps
were won by eight-holers…
--(Trot), Melady’s Monet (Bartlett, $5) in
1:53.3, fastest local mile of the season;
--(Pace) Great Vintage (Dube, $10) in
1:51.1.
The Raceway’s live season continues Monday night (first post at 7:10 PM),
featuring the $147,723 New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace (2-year-old
fillies). Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon
simulcasting available daily.
