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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s second sojourn into New York Sire Stakes action offered Monday night’s (July 14) $223,445 Mike Cipriani Trot for 3-year-old fillies.

Mike Lizzi photo

Winbak Dream’s 1:59.2 score was the fastest in NYSS action.

Winbak Dream (Jim Morrill, Jr.) turned in the night’s fastest (1:59.2) statebred event, going the distance in the second ($39,024) NYSS event. The Malabar Man-Sierra Fortune miss, co-owned by (trainer) Joseph and Edward Flynn, paid $6.40 for her third win in six ’08 tries.

For his part, Morrill won half of the half-dozen sire stakes events.

Epangeline, runner-up in the $324,694 final of the Hudson Filly Trot here 16 nights ago, had loomed a short-priced proposition in the third ($38,324) division but was scratched-ill. That defection left Southwind Martini (Jeff Gregory) in the role of miniscule ma’am, and she prevailed ($2.60) in 2:01.2. The daughter of Conway Hall-Miss Goal, owned by Southwind Farm and trained by Jonas Czernyson, is now 5-for-9 this season.

The evening’s other statebred races, each worth $39,024, went to Parcc Side (Credit Winner-Schare Hall), co-owners Alan Tomlinson and Dale Larson/trainer Kara Buxton/driver Morrill Jr., 1:59.3/$3.10; It’s Coast Time (Credit Winner-West Coast), owner Tom Lail/trainer Tom O. Lail/driver Gregory, 2:01.3/$19; Lola Seelster (Credit Winner-Little Miss Whowho), co-owners Panhellenic Stb, Feldman, and Vermett/trainer Ken Rucker/driver Morrill Jr., 2:00.4/$5; and Nirvana Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Oh Shes So), owner Steve Organ/trainer-driver Jim Raymer, 2:00.4/$5.40.

Monday’s card also included a Yonkers/Pompano amateur drivers event, won handily by Noreaster Hanoer ($7.50) for Leon Cable and the south Florida contingent in 2:01.3.

Also Monday, 23-1 Lady McCardle ($48.20) gave 21-year-old driver Martin Morel his first local victory in the $7,500 seventh race pace. Morel had come south of the border for the NYSS.

New York Sire Stakes continue here Tuesday night, July 15, with the $244,035 Art Watson Pace, with five divisions for soph fillies.