Marion Marauder leads nine into Yonkers Trot; Messenger attracts eight
August 23, 2016,by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Hambletonian winner Marion Marauder goes after the second jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown, leading nine 3-year-olds in the 62nd Yonkers Trot.
With a guaranteed $500,000 final purse, Yonkers Raceway’s signature trotting event begins with a game of musical chairs, as in one $40,000 elimination this Saturday night (Aug. 27) to determine the eight finalists. The final is next Saturday night (Sept. 3).
Below are the post positions:
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1. Iron Mine Bucky-George Dennis-Greg Haverstick
2. Smalltownthrowdown-Dan Daley-Dan Daley
3. Marion Marauder-Scott Zeron-Paula Wellwood
4. Lagerfeld-Mark MacDonald-Jimmy Takter
5. Steed-Brian Sears-Richard Johnson
6. Cufflink Hanover-Jason Bartlett-Chris Oakes
7. Celebrity Express-John Campbell-Staffan Lind
8. Hititoutofthepark-Corey Callahan-John Butenschoen
9. Gleaming Memory-Jason Bartlett-Thomas Milici
Marion Marauder, a Muscle Hill colt, enters with six wins and a second in eight seasonal starts with earnings of $854,905. He had won five consecutive starts — included the elimination and $1 million final of the Hambletonian — before a first-up second in last weekend’s Colonial at Pocono.
Paula Wellwood trains, keeping it in the family for co-owners Marion Wellwood and Devin Keeling. Scott Zeron again does the driving.
As a carrot at the end of a Yonkers Trot stick, the winner also gets a Yonkers International Trot invitation for that million-dollar event, set for Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15).
The 61st Messenger Stakes, second leg of the Pacing Triple Crown, also goes for its $500,000 guaranteed final. Racing Hill leads eight in a one-dash-for-the-cash event, also set for Sept. 3.
Racing Hill, the career seven-figure son of Roll With Joe, has been consistent to a fault this season, hitting the board in all 10 tries (four wins, five seconds, one third). He won the $500,000 Hempt Memorial (Pocono), while the victory in the $400,000 Adios (Meadows) was sandwiched around second-place efforts in the Meadowlands Pace and the Battle of the Brandywine (also at Pocono).
Tony Alagna trains the Tom Hill homebred, who is making his small-track debut.
The Messenger entrants, again alphabetically, are Another Daily Copy, Don’tcallmefrancis (gelding), Dr J Hanover, Fernando Hanover (gelding), Manny, Racing Hill, Stonebridge Beach and Western Fame.
This Saturday programs also features a pair of events for 3-year-old fillies, the $118,574 Hudson Trot and $109,050 Lady Maud Pace.
- Smalltownthrowdown tries to make big splash in Yonkers Trot (Thursday, August 25, 2016)
Smalltownthrowdown is ready for a small-track showdown. The Dan Daley-trained 3-year-old is among nine horses entered in Saturday’s $40,000 Yonkers Trot elimination at Yonkers Raceway. The gelding has raced four times this season on half-mile tracks, such as Yonkers, and won three. He heads to the elimination off back-to-back victories on half-mile ovals in New York Sire Stakes action.
- Marion Marauder wins elimination for 62nd Yonkers Trot (Saturday, August 27, 2016)
Hambletonian winner Marion Marauder (Scott Zeron, $2.60) made short work of his small-track debut, winning Saturday night’s (Aug. 27) lone $40,000 elimination for the 62nd Yonkers Trot.
- Winner’s circle draws Tuesday for Yonkers Trot, Messenger (Monday, August 29, 2016)
Post position draws for both Yonkers Trot No. 62 and Messenger Stakes No. 61 shall take place Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30) in Yonkers Raceway’s winner’s circle. The pair of $500,000 Triple Crown events go Saturday night, with Hambletonian winner Marion Marauder and Hempt/Adios winner Racing Hill leading their respective fields.