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

Yonkers, NY — The song remains the same for Maestro Blue Chip. Tuesday afternoon (April 26) was the ninth victory in as many seasonal starts for the prohibitive ($2.50) favorite, easily winning the $73,500 final of the Yonkers Raceway/Standardbred Owners Association of New York Bonus Trotting Series.

The series was open to 3-year-olds and their elders who were non-winners of six pari-mutuel races and/or $100,000 through this past Feb. 1 (winners over $150,000 through that date ineligible).

Mike Lizzi photo

Tim Tetrick steered Maestro Blue Chip home in a time of 1:56.

In play early from post position No. 6, Maestro Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) had to work around first leader Summers Windsong (Jason Bartlett) before taking over. Lakota (George Brennan) was away third from the pole.

Once pointed toward the point, there wasn’t a whole lot of suspense. Maestro Blue Chip did his thing (:28.3, :57.4, 1:27.1, 1:56), dismissing a weak, first-up challenge from Newcastle (Brett Miller). Maestro Blue Chip owned a 1-3/4 length lead entering the lane, before closing the sale by 1-1/4 lengths. He had won his three series legs by nearly 15 combined lengths.

Summers Windsong was a solid second in a very good effort, with Lakota a three-hole third. Newcastle did hold fourth, while Tuscanellie (Dan Dube) recovered from an early misbehave to grab the final pay envelope. Jackie Goldstein (Vinny Ginsberg), Stormont Park (Jordan Stratton) and breaking-early A List Lindy (Matt Kakaley) rounded out the order. The exacta paid $41.60, with the triple returning $82.

Maestro Blue Chip is a 4-year-old son of Credit Winner owned by Richard Poillucci and trained by Jo Ann Looney-King. The $36,750 winner’s share upped his seasonal earnings to an even $105,000, not including the $10,000 bonus from the SOA of NY.

“He’s just so versatile,” Tetrick said. “I don’t think we know where his bottom is since he hasn’t race that much (22 career starts). He can get over any size track and I know they’re very high on him. He has some tougher stakes later in the season, so we’re going to find out.”

A $30,000 series consolation was won by a down-the-road Covert Operative (Brian Sears, $5.40) in 1:56.4.