BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS,
NY, Monday, September 12, 2016—As a sidebar to Monday night’s New York Sire
Stakes soiree for trotters, a perfect pacer invaded Westchester for the first
time.
Prairie
Sweetheart (Matt Kakaley, $2.10) made it 11 wins in as many career starts, easily
winning the $25,000 ninth-race pace (:27.4,
:56.2, 1:24.2, 1:52.1). The final margin, from post position No. 5, was 4¼
lengths.
The
3-year-old daughter of Royel Millennium, co-owned by her trainer (Mike Deters),
her breeder (Laurie Poulin) and John Spindler, first made her name by slapping
around Sunshine State rivals down at Pompano last fall.
‘Sweetheart’
was originally scheduled to race here last month (different condition), but
came up ill.
“She
just jogged,” Kakaley said after her fourth win as many 2016 tries. “For her
first start over a half (-mile track), I was a bit careful in the first turn,
but from here, no concerns. Easy sailing.
“She’s
a real nice filly. I wish they could have supplemented to her into some
late-season stakes to give her a shot, but I think the plan is to race her here
once more, then go back (to Pompano) for some Florida-bred races.”
Monday’s
win increased Prairie Sweetheart’s career earnings to $98,774.
