by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director
Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes began its current downstate detour Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $251,000 Lew Barasch Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings.
Six, $41,850 divisions (three off the card, three on) honored the memory of “Tootie,” whose contributions to the sport during its heyday–think Roosevelt Raceway and the International Trot–made him a Harness Hall of Famer as well as a friend to countless people both in and out of this industry.
Trainer George Ducharme and driver Jeff Gregory authored their own daily double, winning consecutive state-bred events with Imagistic ($12.80) in a life-best 2:01.1, and A Penny Earned ($7.60) in a night’s-fastest 1:58.2. Both are Conway Hall colts.
The former, owned by Raymond Campbell, was second-over behind 3-5 choice Flyhawk Jester (Dan Daley). He went wide and whipped that one by three-quarters of a length. Barnegat Lane (John Wagner) was third. Imagistic, 2-for-3 to begin his career, led a $28.60 exacta and $198.50 triple.
A Penny Earned, as the third choice, took to the passing lane like a veteran, disposing of pace-setting Southwind Austin (Andy Miller) by a half-length. Delano (Ray Schnittker) was an antsy-pocket third as the 7-5 favorite. Trainer Ducharme co-owns, along with Paul Fontaine, Alfred Ross and Nicola Oliva. The winner is now 4-for-5 this summer, including 2-for-2 here. The exacta paid $18.80, with the triple returning $39.
“What I learned about (Imagistic) was that he does just what he has to do,” Gregory said. “As far as A Penny Earned, I was really impressed with him tonight. He trotted a big last half, and I think he has a future.”
The first wagering Barasch division saw Coragiosso (Phil Fluet, $5.40) steal away (:32, 1:03.3 and 1:34) before throwing down a :28.3 kicker (2:02.3) for the easiest of victories.
The homebred son of Conway Hall–his job made even simpler when both of his main rivals in 11-10 favorite Credicity (George Brennan) and Archangel (Jason Bartlett) jumped–defeated 38-1 rank outsider Armed Dangerously (Eric Goodell) by four lengths. Stirling Adonis (Daley) was third.
Coragiosso, co-owned by his breeders Tom Durkin and Joe Spadaro, now has three (consecutive) wins in six ’11 tries. The exacta paid $261.50, with the triple returning $1,426.
Thursday’s three NYSS non-bettors were won by:
— War Cry Hall (by Cash Hall); co-owners Burke Racing, Joe DiScala Jr/’trainer Ron Burke’driver Jim Pantaleano; (first life win) 2:00.4;
— Royal Shyster (by RC Royalty); co-owners Albert Crawford,Richard Lombardo,Ann-Mari Daley,Robert Pergament/trainer-driver Dan Daley; 2:00.4
— Slugfest,g (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer-driver) Schnittker,Tom Vassiliou,Nick Tallarico; (life-best) 2:01.2
New York Sire Stakes continue Saturday night, with the $229,492 Jim Crawford Pace (3-year-old colts/geldings), Monday night with the $243,176 Michael Sorentino Trot (also for 3-year-old colts/geldings) and Tuesday night with the $253,560 Tuckahoe Pace (2-year-old colts/geldings).