by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes resumed downstate Thursday night (Sept. 8), with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $143,224 New York Sire Stakes Frank Becerra Pace for 2-year-old-fillies. With just nine young ladies at the prom, the event went as one, five-horse wagering group and one $70,912, four-horse non-bettor.

Jelena Gerga photo

Roaring To Go enters the winner’s circle at Yonkers Raceway in NYSS action.

Roaring To Go (Brett Miller) popped the pocket in the early event, disposing of early (:28.3, :59.1) leader Artrageous (Jim Morrill Jr.), then finishing it off (1:26.1, life-best 1:53.2). The final margin was 3-3/4 lengths, with Artrageous holding second over Planet Rock (Tim Tetrick). Sky Fulla Star (Mark MacDonald) was outrun.

Roaring To Go, a daughter of Art Major-Lioness Hanover owned by Frank Chick and trained by Kevin Lare, has won half of her eight seasonal starts.

The on-the-card ($72,312) quintet was essentially a walkover, as it was a pace-over, with odds-on Tequila Monday (David Miller, $3.60) winning her sire stakes debut down the road (:28, :56.2, 1:25, life-best 1:53.1) by 8-3/4 lengths.

Robin J (Tetrick) lost contact with the winner in the lane, but saved second over Lady of Heaven (Mark MacDonald).

For Tequila Monday, an American Ideal lass trained by Chris Oakes for his wife, Susan, and Chuck Pompey, she’s now 3-for-3 in her young career. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $5.60.

“So far, so good,” Miller said. “She handled this track better than she did down at Philly.”

Sire stakes continue here Friday night (Sept. 9), with the $167,874 Dick McGuire Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings and Monday night (Sept. 12), with the $147,723 New York Sire Stakes Pat Quaglietta Trot for 2-year-old fillies.