by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes continued Monday night, July 26, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $275,512 Mount Vernon Pace for 3-year-old fillies.

Defending NYSS champ Hula’s Z Tam (Patrick Lachance) turned in by far the fastest effort of the evening, first stinging — then snapping — Galimony (David Miller) in the $92,304 third division.

Mike Lizzi photo

Hula’s Z Tam (#1) stopped Galimony in their NYSS division.

What figured to be a match-race was just that, with pole-sitting Hula’s Z Tam releasing the odds-on Galimony only after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile. She then stalked her rival to the lane, ducking inside before prevailing by a head in 1:55.4. Enduring Delight (Cat Manzi) was third, beaten a couple of lengths.

Hula’s Z Tam, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned (and trained) by Lachance, Z Tam Stables and Margaret Dey, returned $4.10 for her third win in five seasonal starts. The exacta paid $4.40 (local season’s low gimmick), with the triple returning $17.

“She’s just a professional race horse, and has been right from the start,” Lachance said. “She hadn’t raced in about a month (one qualifier), so I decided to let the other filly, who’s also very talented, cut the mile.”

With nine victories and three seconds in a dozen career starts (earnings over $400,000), Lachance added, “I really can’t say enough about her.”

Max’s Leading Lady (George Brennan) rolled off cover, winning the $90,604 first division in 1:57.2. Love And Honor (Doug R. Ackerman), the 7-5 favorite, was dealing with unwanted advances from Chatty Kathy (Corey Braden). All the while, Max’s Leading Lady, leaving from post position No. 4, lurked from second-over. She went wide and outgamed Love And Honor by three-quarters of a length, with Chatty Kathy third.

Max’s Leading Lady, a daughter of Art Major co-owned by (trainer) Bob Horowitz, Stephen Demeter and Blue Chip Bloodstock, returned $6.60 (second choice) for her second win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $20.60, with the triple returning $41.50.

“Bob said me, ‘Any sort of a trip,’ and I was able to get her one,” Brennan said. “I just gave here a chance, and she took it from there.”

Shaky Hanover (Eric Goodell), flashing some of her excellent frosh from, stuck her tongue out on the money, prevailing in the $92,304 second Mount Vernon event in 1:58.

After an elongated delay when Delightful Syd refused to hit the pace and wound up scratched-lame, Shaky Hanover — now from post No. 5 — chased leader Angel From Above (Corey Callahan) while second-up. The speed began to tire despite fractions of :30.4, 1:01 and 1:30, with Shaky Hanover just getting the better of a pylon-skimming Buy Art (Brennan). Angel From Above held third, with 3-5 choice Tia Marie Hanover (Jim Marohn, Jr.) an uncovered fourth.

Shaky Hanover, a Bettor’s Delight lass trained by Josh Green for co-owners William and Jack Heinz and Baron Racing, returned $8.10 (second choice) for her first win in seven ’10 tries. The exacta paid $46.60, with the triple returning $166.50.

“She has been having some breaking problems, so I wanted to baby her out of there,” Goodell said. “She was much better in her last start (Tompkins-Geers at Tioga), and I figured Corey’s filly would probably come back to us.”

Sire Stakes events resume here Tuesday night — $278,050 New Rochelle Trot (3-year-old fillies) — and Friday night — $245,456 Clyde Hirt Pace (2-year-old fillies).

Yonkers’ current live schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect, with first post at 7:10 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.