by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes continued its Westchester meet-and-greet Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $243,176 Michael Sorentino Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

The evening’s events honored a long-time friend of the Raceway–and successful harness horse owner–who passed away in June. Four divisions, including a pair off the card, went postward.

Mike Lizzi photo

Keenan (1:56.2) made it six straight wins in the $59,369 final NYSS division on Thursday night at Yonkers Raceway.</TD

The ultra-sharp odds-on favorite Keenan (Jeff Gregory, $3.30) made it six consecutive wins, wiring (:28.2; 58.4; 1:27.1) the $59,369 final division from the pole in a night’s-fastest-by-far 1:56.2 The Credit Winner gelding, owned by Ray Remmen and trained by his brother, Larry, defeated I’m the Answer (Trond Smedshammer) by a length, with the way-back machine needed to find New Zion (Robert Krivelin)–beaten 15-1/2 lengths–in third

For Keenan, it was his 10th win in 16 seasonal starts and earnings in excess of $183,000.

“He’s been so consistent all season, like a cash machine,” Gregory said. “With the money they race for in sire stakes and (starting next season) in overnights, he could tool around this track and make a very good living.”

The evening’s third ($58,269) state-bred grouping saw Surface Tension (Dan Daley, $10.20) hold off 3-4 choice Bristle’s Winner (Brian Sears) by a neck in 1:59.2 Wheels (Ray Schnittker) was third as the 67-1 rank outsider.

For Surface Tension, a Cash Hall gelding trained by Daley for co-owners Ann-Mari Daley, Richard Lombardo and Albert Crawford, it was his third win in 10 ’11 tries.

“He’s had a few problems this season, but his last few starts have been better,” Daley said, adding, “I’ve had a good summer with the New York-breds. I train them to be ready, because they have to be. You’re here to play the game, not sit on the bench.”

Monday night’s two, $58,269 NYSS races were won by…

– Johnny B Kemp (by Credit Winner); co-owners Christina Takter,John Fielding,David McDuffee/trainer-driver Jimmy Takter; 1:59;

– All in Tad (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer-driver) Schnittker,Stephen Demeter,Gareth Dowse,John Egloff; 1:59.3.

New York Sire Stakes continue Tuesday night with the $253,560 Tuckahoe Pace (2-year-old colts and geldings).