by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — New York Sire Stakes continued downstate Thursday night (Aug. 18), with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $151,624 Jim Meagher Pace for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The pair of races honored the memory of the Raceway’s long-time corporate controller.
The outcomes were eerily similar. The winners graduated from the Excelsior ranks, did their damage from off the pace and left town five-for-five to begin their careers.
Mike Lizzi photo
Serious Major was a winner in 1:56.2 in his NYSS division.
The $75,112 opening event saw favored Serious Major (Scott Zeron, $4.70) — from post position No. 2 — move from third down the backside. He rolled past Chip Walther (Marcus Miller) down the backside, then widened to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.2. Willie Joe Hill (Pat Lachance) was perched second-over as the second choice, but never came close. He did hold second, with Americanfirewater (Jim Marohn Jr.) a third-over third.
For Serious Major, an Art Major-Seriously colt making his sire stakes debut, it was his third win for Chris Ryder, who now trains the Emerald Highlands Farm homebred. The exacta paid $9.50, with the triple returning $80.
“When they sent him to me, I couldn’t guarantee he’d stay unbeaten,” Ryder said. “He had proven himself (in the Excelsior), so there was no reason not to try him here.
“He’s not fast, but he tries.”
Thursday’s $76,512 second division saw another one from the Excelsior finishing school do good work. Eight-baller Funknwaffles (Joe Bongiorno, $10.80) left for a tuck sixth, then patrolled from third-over. He was actually gapping the outer tier before unleashing a furious wide rally in and out of the final turn.
Funknwaffles, fifth turning for home, whipped a pocketed What’s Goin’ On (Mark MacDonald) by two lengths in 1:55.4. Very Special Agent (Zeron) was third, while 1-2 choice Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley) could not sustain an uncovered bid and was a non-threatening fifth.
For Funknwaffles, a son of American Ideal-Hatsoff Hanover owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by John Butenscheon, it was his second NYSS win after a trio versus Excelsior company. The exacta paid $182, with the triple returning $606.
“He was very good,” Bongiorno said. “He did it wrapped up.”