by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — She’s So Savvy, last season’s statebred frosh filly divisional champ, made her Yonkers Raceway return a successful one Tuesday night, June 16, winning a $43,960 division of the $219,000 New York Sire Stakes Mike Cipriani Trot.
Mike Lizzi photo
She’s So Savvy was a 2:00 winner in NYSS action at Yonkers.
With Howard Okusko, Jr. taking his usual seat, She’s So Savvy — as the 1-4 favorite from post position two — stepped around pole-sitter New Hampshire Girl (Ray Schnittker) before a :30 second opening quarter-mile. There wasn’t a whole lot of suspense from that juncture, as She’s So Savvy negotiated the rest of her markers in 1:00, 1:29.3 and 2:00. She defeated New Hampshire Girl by 1-1/2 lengths, with Atia (Jason Bartlett) third.
She’s So Savvy, a daughter of Malabar Man trained by Jessica Okusko for Purple Haze Stables, returned $2.50 for her second win in three seasonal starts (7-for-10 lifetime). The exacta paid $6.50, with the triple returning $30.40.
“She’s about the same as she was (at 2),” driver Okusko said. “She’s a handy filly, but she was slipping a bit. I had to take hold, and that’s not like her. We’re going to have to work on her shoeing before next week (another NYSS leg here).
“It’s good to have her come back at 3, but there are some other talented ones in her division.”
Tuesday night’s other NYSS events, worth $43,960, $43,960, $43,168 and $43,960, respectively, were won by:
- Brandnewgirlfriend (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer) Paul Kelley, Winske, Michaels, East Pond Stb/driver Brian Mattison; 2:01.1/$2.70;
- Michelle’s Way (by Conway Hall); owner Marcos Ameralis/trainer Ken Rucker/driver Brent Holland; 1:59.3/$7.10;
- Porque (by Plesac); owner Richard Balog/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Jeff Gregory; 2:01/$4.20;
- Social Butterfly (by Credit Winner); owner Jerry Silva/trainer-driver Schnittker; (life-best) 1:59.4/$4.80.
New York Sire Stakes continue here Thursday night, June 18. Four consecutive (races four through seven) groupings of soph fillies go at it in the $220,224 Mount Vernon Pace. Friday night, June 19, the $216,465 White Plains Trot finds five divisions (races four, five, six, eight and nine) of 3-year-old colts and geldings.