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Saturday, September 10, 2016

SOPH COLTS, GELDINGS IN 167G NYSS DICK McGUIRE TROT

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).