Yonkers Raceway this week offers a plethora of stakes action, both state-bred and open
.
New York Sire Stakes freshmen pacers invades Thursday and Friday nights, with the $257,608 Clyde Hit (two-year-old fillies) and $257,257 Jim Meagher (two-year-old colts/geldings), respectively,
The Hirt goes in a half-dozen divisions - including two off the card - while the Meagher offers seven groups in consecutive races (3 through 9).
Among the promising youngsters are Hayworth Blue Chip, a Bettors Delight filly who drew post position three in the fifth Hirt division (sixth race). Hayworth Blue Chip was a wire-to-wire winner in her division of the Landmark last weekend at Goshen (1;57.3) after a pair of solid Meadowlands qualifiers. Co-owner/trainer Ray Schnittker does the honours himself
JK Fine Art, a daughter of Art Major who drew the always-appreciated eight-hole (sixth division, seventh race) in the Hirt for her purse debut. She was the easiest of winner in her most recent Meadowlands qualifier (1:54.3) Tim Tetrick, her driver in all three qualifiers, comes across the river.
JK Panache, a son of Art Major leaving from outside post seven in the second Meagher grouping (fourth race). He won his division of the Landmark at Goshen last weekend. Jason Bartlett gets the assignment for trainer Linda Toscano.
Rock Man, an Art Major gelding was a Vernon winner in his pari-mutuel debut. He sees the eight-hole in the third Meagher event (fifth race), with Jeff Gregory driving for trainer Howard Okusko.
Artillery Major, an American Ideal colt, also won at the Landmark after a pair of winning qualifiers. It's Bartlett, Toscano and post four in the fourth Meagher contest (sixth race).
Steelhead Hanover, a son of Bettors Delight, begins his pari-mutuel/purse career off a pair of blowout Pocono qualifiers. Trainer Joe Pavia, Jr. takes a seat from the pole in the seventh division of the Meagher (ninth race).
Saturday night, Yonkers Raceway presents its two premier trotting events of the season, the $445,474 Yonkers Trot - first jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown - and the $237,714 Hudson Filly. Seven three-year-olds were entered in each race.
Here are the entrants for the 57th Yonkers Trot in alphabetical order:
Bambino Hall
Celebrity Bombay
Del Cielo
Evil Urges
Leader Of The Gang
Live Jazz
Pegasus Blue Chip
Here are the entrants for the Hudson in alphabetical order:
Angelette Hanover
Cabaret Princess
Creme De Cocoa
Iron Lady
Jezzy
Lady Rainbow
Thatsnotmyname
Post positions for both races shall be drawn Wednesday at a Raceway press luncheon.
(Yonkers Raceway)