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

Yonkers, NY — It was a night of firsts on Thursday, July 10, with Yonkers Raceway hosting its first New York Sire Stakes event of the season and the Empire’s first look at its first-season trotting colts and geldings. Five divisions and 32 newbies (one defection) comprised the $192,712 Milt Taylor Trot.

Team Ackerman, always well-represented in statebred events, overcame the high price of gas to and from Michigan. With Doug as trainer and D.R. taking his customary seat, a pair of plebes were ready at first asking.

Wind Gust was a 2:03.4 winner in his NYSS division for D.R. Ackerman.

Wind Gust never had an anxious moment from post position three in the first ($38,822) division. He enjoyed an open length lead en route to a 2-1/2 length victory in 2:03.4. The Credit Winner-Dusty Girl gelding, owned by Kindergarten Stud, returned $15.60. Hitontheflipside (Kevin Cummings) chased from a loose pocket as the 11-10 favorite, with RC Authority (Dan Daley) a best-of-the-rest third.

The Ackermans completed their own personal double when Judge Joe ($2.90) won the third ($38,122) division. The son of Credit Winner-Judge Judy, owned by the Ackermans, took all the late — and well-deserved — money before strolling by Grand Way (John Stark, Jr.) in the upper stretch. That rival eventually jumped and Judge Joe found the wire 3-1/2 lengths before R Little E (Bill Bailey). Jack To A King (Henry Westbrook III) was third.

Mike Lizzi photos

Donttellmywife posted the fastest NYSS clocking of the night, a 2:01.4 score for Jeff Gregory.

The night’s fastest foray was the second ($38,122) event, where Donttellmywife (Jeff Gregory) sat off a speed duel and won going away. The Malabar Man-Nowerland Sweet T gelding won his purse debut in 2:01.4, defeating a long-mile Calchip’s Brute (Jim Morrill, Jr.) by 2-1/4 lengths. Spin Spanky Spin (Daley) was a non-threatening third. Affirmed Action (Jason Bartlett), part of that early scrum, tired and broke as the 13-10 choice.

The winner, co-owned by (trainer) George Ducharme, Nicole Oliva and Shannon DiAntonio, returned $6.30.

Thursday night’s other two NYSS divisions, each worth $38,822, went to Coal Daily (Conway Hall-Trapeze Artist), owner/trainer/driver Toby Lynch, 2:04.4/$104 and Bailey Banks (Conway Hall-Pompous), co-owners Arlene and Jules Siegel/trainer Jim Campbell/driver Bartlett, 2:04.4/$5.60.

New York Sire Stakes return here Monday night, July 14, with the $233,445 Mike Cipriani Trot for 3-year-old fillies to be constested in six divisions. Tuesday night (July 15) offers the $244,035 Art Watson Pace (five divisions), also for soph fillies.

Yonkers six-night-per-week live harness schedule (Monday through Friday — all at 7:40 p.m. — and Saturday — 6:50 p.m.) is in effect through October. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.