by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — The theme for Tuesday evening (August 21) might have been “Go, Girl, Go” as five divisions of New York Sires Stake freshman femmes frolicked in the off-going that was the $255,461 Clyde Hirt Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

Away We Go paced the fastest mile (1:59) and paid the biggest price ($23.60) in winning the final $52,091 event.

With Jim Pantaleano driving for co-owners (trainer) Dan Altman, MGM Racing and Kevin Ciarpelli, the Dream Away lass left hard from post position seven, making the lead in a strung-out field. Tepid 8-5 favorite JK Good Vibrations (Jim Morrill, Jr.) wound up pulling up by the half, while 17-10 second choice Riverbank Hanover (Sam Schillaci) sat perched in the pocket.

Away We Go, after fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:29, dealt with an early pull from “Riverbank,” but would not give in. She prevailed by a neck for her fourth win in seven seasonal starts, with rookie earnings now just under $59,000. Artimittateslife (Stephane Bouchard) was a best-of-the-rest third. The exacta paid $116.50, the triple returned $462, while the superfecta (Major Trap (Jim Marohn) was fourth) was worth a robust $6,414.

Tuesday night’s other NYSS winners were:

• Kissing Bandit (by Art Major); co-owners Mentally Stable and Robert Cooper Stables/trainer Ross Croghan/driver Yannick Gingras; (first career win) 1:59.3/$9.80
• Noble Angelina (by Noble Ability); co-owners Carla DiNova, Ed and Patricia Reo/trainer-driver John Stark, Jr.; 1:59.4/$6.80
• Loving Caroline (by Art Major); owner Mentally Stable/trainer Croghan/driver Gingras; 1:59.4/$8.10
• JK Majorette (by Art Major); owner 3 Brothers Stable/trainer Linda Toscano/driver Morrill Jr.; 1:59.2/$2.20.

Divisional leader JK Majorette is now 4-for-4 to begin her career.

New York Sires Stake trotters hit town Friday night, August 24, with the 3-year-old colts and geldings in the spotlight. A trio of $95,020 statebred events go as races four, five and six.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week — Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasting is available seven days a week, while Empire City’s nearly 5,500 video gaming machines are in play daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.