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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Aug. 11) hosted the $164,874 New York Sire Stakes Bruce Hamilton Pace for 3-year-old fillies. Two $82,437 divisions made up the event, which once again honored the memory of a certified mover and shaker (as well as a fairly decent soul) in the state’s racing and breeding program.

Chris Brokate photo

Soft Idea was a narrow winner in the opening NYSS division.

The opening Hamilton group saw Soft Idea (Scott Zeron, $15.40), from post position No. 4, work out a perfect, second-over trip. She was able to get the lane jump on pocket sitting Milky Way Rae (Jim Morrill Jr.), whipping that one by a neck in 1:54.3. Encore Deo (George Brennan) was third.

Time On My Hands (Jason Bartlett), as the 4-5 favorite, led the lasses (:27.4, :57.2, 1:26), but caved badly through the stretch and finished last — beaten 10-1/4 lengths — among the seven.

For third choice Soft Idea, an American Ideal filly trained by Linda Toscano for co-owning stables South Mountain, Bay’s, Radio Racing and Little E, it was her third win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $85, with the triple returning $283.

“The trip worked out great and she seems to race better from off the pace,” Zeron said.

The second sire stakes soiree saw pole-sitting, odds-on Dime A Dance (Matt Kakaley, $3, part of entry) take over from fresh Lasix Wishy Washy Girl (Morrill), then complete her civic duties (:27.4, :57.3, 1:25.4, 1:53.3). Dime A Dance defeated 27-1 shot Wishy Washy Girl by a length, with No Clouds Bluechip (Zeron) a first-up third.

Dime A Dance, a Roll With Joe filly trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Blue Chip Bloodstock, is now four-for-nine this season. The exacta paid $38.20, with the triple returning $96.

“She’s much better now,” Kakaley said. “Early in the season, she was flat, but she’s finishing better the past few starts.”

Sire Stakes continue Friday night, with the $150,224 Milt Taylor Trot (2-year-old colts/geldings). Two divisions (races six and seven) at $75,112 each comprise the event.