Fuel Cell did it the hard way from post position No. 5. He watched from fifth
as 4-5 choice Calchips Brute (George Brennan) worked around the lass
Mymomsablizzard (Larry Stalbaum) and through early fractions of :28.4 and
:59.1.
After the intermission, Fuel Cell took up the chase, which continued in and out
of a 1:28.3 three-quarters. It was Calchips Brute maintaining a slim lead
entering the lane, but he was about to give away grudgingly. Mymomsablizzard
ducked in, while Fuel Cell continued his inexorable advance.
That advance led him to the winner's circle by a half-length in 1:58.
Mymomsablizzard just did best Calchips Brute for second, with Master Pine
(Jim Pantaleano) and Perfect Picture (Jordan Stratton) rounded out the
payees.
For fifth choice Fuel Cell, a 6-year-old Mutineer gelding owned by Lee Cotroneo
and trained by Brandon Todd, it was his second (consecutive) win in three
seasonal starts. The exacta paid $102, with the triple returning $274.50
The ladies' legion saw Queen of Royalty win both the draw and the race.
In play from the pole, she eventually yielded to an encouraged Warrawee Koine
(Jason Bartlett) after a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. With a 58-second
half, it was Sears again trying it first-up, this time chauffeuring the second
move of Moonlit Dragon.
That one pulled from fourth, engaging the leader down the backside toward a
1:25.4 three-quarters.
Warrawee Koine was up a stubborn schnoz turning for home. She was tough before
eventually abdicating to a passing-lane "Queen" by a neck in 1:54.3.
Argument Hanover (Kakaley), slight 5-2 choice Chief Karen (Stalbaum) and
Moonlit Dragon grabbed the remainder.
For seventh choice Queen of Royalty, a 9-year-old daughter of Albert Albert
owned and trained by Allen Sisco, it was her second (consecutive) win in four
'13 tries. The exacta paid $209, the triple returned $1,306 and the superfecta
paid $3,094. The lass went over the half-million career earnings plateau.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post
every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting
available around the NYRA schedule.
