by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes returned downstate Thursday night (June 21), with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $172,499 Art Watson Pace for 3-year-old fillies.

There were three consecutive divisions — worth $56,833, $57,833 and $57,833, respectively — that comprised the event.

The opening event saw favored Newsday (Jim Marohn Jr., $4.50) do her damage from off the pace in 1:55. Unhurried from post position No. 5, she advanced from third-over behind Betterthangraduate (Matt Kakaley) and Painted Lady (Eric Goodell). The outer tier inhaled early leader Tell Me A Joke after that one’s road work of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:24.4. Newsday closed widest and fastest, measuring off Painted Lady by a neck. Third went to Kimberlee (Jason Bartlett) in a good effort, with Betterthangraduate and Better Than Happy (Jordan Stratton) rounding out the payees. Tell Me A Joke faded to sixth.

For Newsday, a daughter of Art Major co-owned by trainer Richie Silverman, Michael Gluckman, Mary Arnold and Edward McEnery, it was her second win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $27.80, the triple retuned $135 and the superfecta paid $523.

MIke Lizzi photo

Pueblo Blue Chip outgamed Ms Cheesman in 1:54 in their NYSS division.

Thursday’s second NYSS division had another wagering choice, Pueblo Blue Chip (George Brennan, $5.20), outgame Ms Cheesman (Jimmy Whittemore) in 1:54, matching her life-best effort. Away a loose third from post No. 6, Pueblo Blue Chip watched as Hurrikane Shorty (Marohn Jr.) led through intervals of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:25.2. About the time Pueblo Blue Chip was approaching the leader, Ms Cheesman bulled her way out of the pocket, forcing the eventual winner three-wide. Both lasses eventually went by Hurrikane Shorty, with Pueblo Blue Chip whipping Ms Cheesman by a half-length. Hurrikane Shorty saved the bottom of the ticket, while Silk Reed (Morrill Jr.) and Azreal As It Gets (Brian Sears) came away with the minors.

For Pueblo Blue Chip, an American Ideal miss trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Blue Chip Bloodstock, Michael Guerrero and Menary Racing, it was her second NYSS win in three ’18 tries. The exacta paid $16.80, the triple (three wagering choices in order) retuned $63.50 and the superfecta paid $473.50.

The evening final’s statebred grouping was another formful result, as odds-on Wisdom Tree (Scott Zeron, $3.40) went down the road (:27.2, :56.2, 1:24.1, night’s-fastest 1:52.1). From post No. 5, Wisdom Tree gave nothing else a chance, opening down the backside and giving last season’s frosh divisional champ, Alexis Faith (Morrill Jr.), too much work to do. Wisdom Tree had three lengths off the final turn, then defeated a two-move Alexis Faith by a 1-1/4 lengths. Presto Blue Chip (Stratton), Apothic (Brennan) and Believe In Me (Sears) picked off the minor moolah.

For Wisdom Tree, a Betterthancheddar lass co-owned by Thomas Pollack and Jeffrey Cullipher and trained by Ed Hart, it was her sixth win in eight seasonal efforts. The exacta (two wagering choices in order) paid $8.30, the triple retuned $47.40 and the superfecta paid $400.50.

The next New York Sire Stakes visit is Tuesday’s (June 26) $158,000 Jim Meagher Pace (2-year-old colts/geldings).