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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway Friday night offered the $253,897 New York Sire Stakes Milt Taylor Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Rain, including some heavy downpours, greeted the participants for most of the five divisions on the wagering card.

Mike Lizzi photo

Delano won a non-betting $35,971 NYSS event in 2:00 for driver Ray Schnittker.

The first ($36,671) betting event was a handy, down the road win by odds-on A Penny Earned (Jeff Gregory, $2.30) in 2:00.3. The son of Conway Hall-Penny Dream, co-owned by (trainer) George Ducharme, Paul Fontaine, Alfred Ross and Nicola Oliva, is now 3-for-3 to begin his career. Lindy McDreamy (Credit Winner-My Dolly`s Dream, Ray Schnittker) was second, beaten 3-3/4 lengths, with Credicity (Credit Winner-Phillycityhall, George Brennan) third.

My Man Dudley (Schnittker, $2.60 as part of favored entry) was a wire-to-wire winner in the second ($36,671) wagering sire stakes group. The Malabar Man-Blueridge Elegante colt defeated Conwaytour (Conway Hall-Take The Grandtour, Jordan Stratton) by 2-1/4 lengths, with Turbulent Flight (Malabar Man-Turbulent Victoria, Cat Manzi) third. Schnittker trains and co-owns “Dudley” with Jeff Gural, along with Mal and Janet Burroughs.

The evening’s third ($35,971) wagering Taylor division went to the 11-1 Vintage Cash (Cash Hall-Sweet Vintage, Brandon Simpson, $24.80), who closed on the outside to nip Archangel (Credit Winner-Michelle`s Angel, Brennan) by a neck in 2:03. Credit N Debit (Credit Winner- My Own Hanover, Gregory) faded to third as the 13-10 favorite. The winner is owned and trained by Jody Weidman.

The fourth ($36,671) on-the-card NYSS event was a wire job by 1-2 choice Flyhawk Jester (Dan Daley, $3). He easily defeated War Cry Hall (Cash Hall-Winners Only, Jim Pantaleano) by 3-1/4 lengths, with Mado Dream (Taurus Dream-Madeleine It, Brennan) third.

Flyhawk Jester a son of RC Royalty-Graduation Party with three wins in four tries is trained by Daley for co-owners Albert & Michelle Crawford, Ann-Mari Daley and Richard Lombardo.

Friday’s final sire stakes event proved you can’t beat the taxman…or, in this case, Taxman (Brad Kramer, $8.20). The son of Conway Hall-Coco Robin parlayed a perfect, second-over trip into a maiden-breaking, 2:01.4 victory. Coraggioso (Conway Hall-Electra Hanover, Gregory) raced well first-up, but was beaten a length-and-a-quarter. Costner Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Jangerine, Schnittker) was third.

Taxman is co-owned by Kramer, Richard Siedel, Scott MacArthur and ECS Racing, and trained by Rob Harmon.

The pair of $35,971 NYSS non-bettors, held while Mother Nature was in a better mood, were won by…

–Delano (by Credit Winner-Kelly Hall); co-owners (trainer-driver) Schnittker, Tom Vassiliou, Nick Tallarico, Gareth Dowse; 2:00;

–Southwind Austin (by Conway Hall-Articulate Hanover); owner Andy Miller Stable/trainer Julie Miller/catch-driver Steve Smith; (life-best) 2:02.1.

New York Sire Stakes continue next Monday with $236,019 Bruce Hamilton Pace (3-year-old colts/geldings), Tuesday with the $226,510 Scarsdale Trot (3-year-old fillies) and Thursday with the $255,913 Joe Goldstein Trot (2-year-old fillies).