by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Statebred 2-year-olds were on display Tuesday night (July 31), with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $288,360 New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace. Five divisions went postward, and the outcomes were not to the liking of the chalk players.

The opening $56,792 division found pole-sitting Freetime (Andy Miller, $24.20) going by 1-4 fave Summertime Lea (Jim Morrill Jr.) by three-quarters of a length en route to a life-best 1:56 victory. Brussels Hanover (George Brennan) was third.

Freetime, a daughter of Artiscape-Bubbas Joicey B trained by Julie Miller for co-owners Andy Miller Stable and Triple D Stables, is now 2-for-4 this season,. The exacta paid $63.50, with the triple returning $117.

Tuesday night’s second $57,892 sire stakes event was won by an off-the-pace Park N Orchard (Brian Sears, $25). Sixth turning for home, she edged past a two-move, 3-10 choice Give Me An Amen (Tim Tetrick) by a length. Road Bet (Stephane Bouchard) was third and Naughty Marietta (Morrill) was fourth.

Park N Orchard, a daughter of Art Major-Allamerican Meadow co-owned by trainer George Zitone and Jay Platt, stepped up from the Excelsior ranks for her first sire stakes win (2-for-4 overall). The exacta paid $57, the triple returned $274.50 and the superfecta paid $1,423.

Sears doubled up in the third $56,792 division, as Jesse’s Lady ($14) scooted up the cones to get past 3-10 fave Hit The Curb (Morrill) by a neck in a maiden-breaking 1:56. Aria J (Tetrick), stuck in a three hole, rallied late for third.

Jesse’s Lady, an Art Major-Dolphins Can Talk filly trained by Chris Ryder for Henderson Farms, earned that first win in her fourth try. The exacta paid $20.80, with the triple returning $42.40.

The fourth $57,892 NYSS grouping was won by a down-the-road Silk Pajamas (Jason Bartlett, $6.10) in 1:57. Negating her six inside rivals quickly, she held off an improving Alhambra (Mark Lewis) by 2-1/4 lengths, with 9-5 choice JK Allthatjazz (Tetrick) along for third and She’s My Major (Mark MacDonald) fourth.

Silk Pajamas, a Bettor’s Delight-Silksndiamonds miss, trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Conrad Zurich, Edwin Gold and Purple Haze Stables, has a couple of wins in four tries. The exacta paid $49.80, the triple returned $158 and the superfecta paid $957.

Tuesday night’s $57,892 sire stakes finale was won by Spell To Cast (Tetrick, $3.20), saving the favorites from being completely whitewashed.

Spell To Cast, gingerly-handled and wide in the turns, nonetheless prevailed over a pace-setting See Major (Bouchard) by a neck in 1:57.3. Odds On Cygnus (Brennan) was third.

Spell To Cast, a daughter of American Ideal-Bewitching Jewell co-owned by The Bay’s Stable, Stake Your Claim Stable and Daniel Baer, has now won twice in three first-season starts. The exacta paid $3.90, with the triple returning $15.40.

A special Tuesday night salute to Only Rock N Roll (Daniel Dube), who rallied to win the $11,500 eighth race pace at 56-1. The $114 win mutuel was the largest locally this season.

Thursday night’s $285,840 New York Sire Stakes Mike Cohen Trot is also for frosh fillies and also in five divisions (races two through six).