by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Statebred sophomores took over Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday night (June 14), with the $233,479 New York Sire Stakes White Plains Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings. Seven divisions, including a pair off the card, went postward, with the track a bit damp from sporadic precipitation.

Mike Lizzi photo

Keenan was a 1:57.1 winner for Andy Miller in their NYSS split.

The first ($33,697) wagering NYSS event went to a down-the-road Keenan (Andy Miller, $3.70) in a life-best 1:57.1. The Credit Winner gelding whipped the long chase of I’m The Answer (Trond Smedshammer) by five lengths for his second consecutive sire stakes victory. Cashahallic (Stephane Bouchard) was third. Larry Remmen trained Keenan — now 3-for-8 this season — for his brother, Ray.

The evening’s second ($33,097) on-the-card White Plains division (fourth overall) found Vacation Credit (Jason Bartlett, $11.20) taking it to the house in 2:00.3. The Credit Winner colt, with his third win in six seasonal starts, defeated pocket-sitting Tober (Bouchard) by three-quarters of a length. Typical Newyorker (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) was third. The winner is trained by John Butenschoen for co-owners Tyler Butenschoen, Jean Goehlen, Sidney Korn and VIP Internet Stables.

The fifth ($33,697) NYSS division — third on the wagering card — was won by Petruchio (Jeff Gregory, $25.60) in 2:03. The Plesac gelding minded his manners when others couldn’t (five of the eight entrants jumped), defeating Metropolitan Chip (George Brennan) by 2-3/4 lengths. Hellogottagobuhbye (Ray Schnittker) wound up third. Petruchio, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Richard Balog, won his first race in four ’11 tries after a six-figure frosh season.

The evening’s sixth ($33,097) statebred grouping — fourth on the card — saw Tiger’s Too Good (David Miller, $2.70) too good once again. The son of Conway Hall made it two consecutive NYSS wins, airing by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:59.3. Wheels (Schnittker) grabbed second late over Order By Texas. Joe Holloway trained for himself, Andy Grant, L&L Devisser LLC and Val D’Or Farms.

Sire stakes wrapped with the seventh ($33,697) soiree — fifth on the wagering program — won by Sing Out (Cat Manzi, $5.80) in a life-best 1:58.3. Dream Lake (Fern Paquet, Jr.) was second, beaten 4-1/4 lengths, with I’m The Man (Frode Fladen) a best-of-the-rest third. Sing Out, a Malabar Man gelding co-owned by (trainer) George Teague, Jr. and Ted Gewertz, has three wins and six board finishes in 10 seasonal efforts.

The pair of non-bettors, each worth $33,097, were won by Rare Ordinary (Conway Hall); owner Kjell Andersen/trainer Torgeir Hagmann/driver Marcus Johansson; 1:58.1; and Turtle Express (by Dream Vacation); co-owners John Picinich, Richard Lombardo, Howard Taylor/trainer Bobbi Martin/driver Bouchard; (life-best) 1:57.

New York Sire Stakes continue here Thursday night (June 16), with the $230,010 New Rochelle Trot for 3-year-old fillies going as six consecutive events (races 3 through 8).