by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Freshmen grabbed the marquee Thursday night (September 15) with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $249,459 New York Sire Stakes Hartsdale Pace for 2-year-old colts and geldings. Three divisions — two off the card — went postward in a brisk wind.

The lone ($83,653) wagering event was, on paper, the most contentious, with standout statebreds Lawgiver Hanover (George Brennan), Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill, Jr.) and Heston Blue Chip (Tim Tetrick) drawing the first three slots.

Mike Lizzi photo

Heston Blue Chip scored in 1:54.2.

Heston Blue Chip took matters into his own hooves early, making the lead before a :29 opening quarter-mile. The 4-5 choice then waltzed from there, hitting the half in :58.3 and the three-quarters in 1:26.4.

A 1-1/4 length lead turning for home turned to 2-1/2 lengths at the wire, which he found in 1:54.2 (:55.3 back half). Lawgiver Hanover held off Steelhead Hanover for second, with Who’s Your Maddy (Brian Sears) and Sir Howie’s Z Tam (Patrick Lachance) completing the cashers.

Heston Blue Chip, an American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip colt owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, returned $3.60 and is now seven for eight this summer, with earnings in excess of $158,000. The exacta paid $6.60, with the triple returning a Raceway season-low $8.20.

“He just shows up and does his work,” Tetrick said. “It was windy out there, and these horses aren’t used to racing in 60 (actually 62)degree weather yet, so that was a very good race by him.”

A pair of non-bettors, worth $83,653 and $82,153, were won by

• Escape The News, g (Artiscape-Ideal News); co-owners Brittany Farms and Val D’Or Farms/trainer Joe Holloway/driver Sears; 1:56
• Art Of Temptation, g (Artiscape-Temptation Island): co-owners (trainer) Ian Kaufman, Michael Belotti, David and Edward Reich/driver Brennan; 1:57

New York Sire Stakes continue Monday night (September 19) with the $234,832 See You At Peelers-less Peekskill Pace for 3-year-old fillies, and Tuesday night (September 20) with the $253,593 Larchmont Pace (3-year-old colts/geldings).

Yonkers’ regular five night per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) remains in effect. First post for all racing programs is 7:10 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.