BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS,
NY, Friday, September 9, 2016—New York Sire Stakes continue downstate Friday
night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $167,874 New York Sire Stakes Dick
McGuire for 3-year-old colts and geldings.
A
pair of $83,937 divisions comprised the event.
The
opening octet was led by Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Daley, $10.20), getting a
measure of satisfaction after a Yonkers Trot ‘just-miss.’ From post position
No. 7, he gave nothing else a chance (:28.1,
:58, 1:26.4, 1:55.3) in a mile that was actually three-fifths of a second
faster than Marion Marauder’s effort six nights ago.
‘Smalltown’s’ work night was made easier when 2-5
choice Dayson (Jim Morrill Jr.) broke in Turn 2 after working his way into a
pocket. The eventual winner opened four lengths in the lane before defeating
pocket-inheriting Dante (Ake Svanstedt) by 4¾ lengths.
Master Class (Jordan Stratton) was third.
For second choice Smalltownthrowdown, a Cash Hall
gelding trained by his driver for co-owners Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV,
Donald Brenner and Richard Lombardo, it was his sixth win in 15 seasonal
starts. The exacta paid $52.50, with the triple returning $211.50.
Svanstedt, a bridesmaid in the first event,
teamed with slight choice The Royal Harry ($6.80) to win the second division in
1:57.
Leaving into a two-hole from post No. 6, he
stalked Dog Gone Lucky (Tyler Buter) early (:28.2, :58.2). The Royal Harry then
vacated the cones, taking over by the 1:27.2 three-quarters.
He had three lengths in and out of the final turn
before winning by a length-and-a-quarter. Daley was second this time around
with Royal Bachelor, while Drazzmatazz (Mark MacDonald) was third.
For The Royal Harry, an RC Royalty colt trained
by his driver for co-owners William Pozefsky and Michael Polansky, he’s now
5-for-11 this season. The exacta paid $88, with the triple returning $472.
Friday
night’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace was won by favored Mach it a
Par (Brian Sears, $4.80), the 6-year-old setting a new track record 1:50.3) for
her ‘aged’ group.
Sire
stakes continue here Monday night, with the $147,723 New York Sire Stakes Pat
Quaglietta Trot (2YO fillies).
