by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — The Empire State continued its sublet of Empire City Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting four consecutive–and soggy –$55,056 divisions of the $220,224 New York Sire Stakes Mount Vernon Pace for 3-year-old fillies. This class of lass was also here last week.

Eagle Way, 2008’s rookie divisional champion, earned her first 2009 meet and greet with the photographer in the third division.

Mike Lizzi photo

Eagle Way was a 1:57.1 winner for driver Jim Morrill, Jr. in her NYSS split.

Sent off as the 1-9 choice from the pole, the people’s preference — along with driver Jim Morrill, Jr. — played leapfrog on the lead with JK Cameo (Stephane Bouchard).after a :28.3 opening quarter-mile. She found a 58.3 intermission as Witch is Bettor (Kyle DiBenedetto), a sire stakes winner a week ago, began her protracted bid.

Eagle Way led through a 1:28.3 three-quarters, taking a length advantage into the lane. She prevailed by a half-length over JK Cameo in 1:57.1, with Witch is Bettor a stubborn third from an eight-hole post.

For Eagle Way, a daughter of Dream Away owned by Frank Dettore Horse Racing and trained by Mark Ford, she returned $2.30 for that first ’09 win in her fifth seasonal start.

Thursday night’s other NYSS events went to:

• All Spirit (by Bettor’s Delight); owner Larry Lanpher/trainer Judy Lanpher/driver Jim Marohn Jr.; 1:55.2/$11;
• Artist’s Rendition (by Art Major); owner Bulletproof Enterprises/trainer Joe Caraluzzi/driver Bouchard; (life-best) 1:57.1/$24.20;
• Bet on Luck (by Bettor’s Delight); co-owners (trainer) George Teague Jr. & Kovach Stables/driver Jason Bartlett; (life-best) 1:55.1/$6.90.

Bet on Luck was a NYSS winner here a week ago.

New York Sire Stakes continue Friday night, with the $216,465 White Plains Trot finding five divisions (races 4,5,6,8 & 9) of 3-year-old colts and geldings.