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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway on Monday night (Aug. 17) hosted the $150,224 New York Sire Stakes Lew Barasch Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

The event honors the memory of “Tootie,” the man who helped turn Roosevelt Raceway into a household word during the sport’s golden age and made the International Trot a world-class happening.

Whether this group of plebes eventually becomes world class is to be determined, but 1-5 favorite Dayson (Jeff Gregory, $2.40) has proven to be the leader of the gang thus far.

Mike Lizzi photo

Jeff Gregory steered Dayson to a 1:57.4 score in their NYSS division.

Starting from the pole in the second of two $75,112 divisions, the Conway Hall-Nervey’s Taurus gelding had to work for it. He took the best shots from second-choice Reve Royale (Brian Sears), then spurted away to a 2-1/4 length win in a zippy, life-best 1:57.4. Dog Gone Cupid (Tyler Buter), put in play early, did get second, with Reve Royale third.

For Dayson, trained by Howard Okusko for co-owners Margaret and Amy Butler, it was his fifth win in as many seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28.60, with the triple returning $60.

“He was tested tonight, and he was up to it,” Gregory said, referring to Reve Royale first stringing Dayson out to get the lead in turn two, then pulling pocket early in the final turn.

The opening Barasch event saw Sears and second choice Allerage Echo ($6.10) — leaving from post position No. 6 — go from first lead to first home. In between, he surrendered the front to Credevie (Trond Smedshammer), before blowing by in the lane.

The final margin was 2-1/4 lengths (same as Dayson) in a life-best 1:59.4, with Master Class (George Brennan) a first-up second and Royal Bachelor (Jason Bartlett) third. Credevie, the favorite at just over even-money, faded to fourth.

Allerage Echo, a Crazed-Echonomical gelding trained by George Ducharme for owner Ken Jacobs, is now three-for-five to begin his career after a third consecutive win. The exacta paid $55, with the triple returning $221.

“I bought him off his first two qualifiers,” Jacobs said. “He impressed me, but I thought his gait was too high. George (Ducharme) said he has some talent, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the sire stakes season.”