Tuesday, July 10, 2012

New York controls hopefuls’ action

Vernon Downs and Monticello Raceway drew Hambo hopefuls from both divisions for the $132,236 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) on Wednesday, July 11 and the $164,840 NYSS on Thursday, July 12. The colts will race on Wednesday and the fillies on Thursday.

Two divisions drew six Hambletonian eligibles on Wednesday. In the first division, Delano (H-Credit Winner) is the likely favorite. Flyhawk Jester (H-RC Royalty) will be looking for redemption. He returns to the track where he did best and if he gets a good trip, he should get the best of Delano.

Also eligible are A Penny Earned (H-Conway Hall) and No Frosting (H-Credit Winner).

In the second division, Corraggioso (H-Conway Hall), seen winning in photo on left, is the likely favorite. Royal Shyster (H-RC Royalty) is still seeking a 2012 victory. He was parked in his return at Yonkers and faded to third. He’ll need, and could get, a better trip to win.  

On Thursday, nine “Oaks”-hopefuls drew into four divisions of NYSS at Monticello.  

In the first division, there may be no beating For A Dancer (H-Conway Hall). Last time against her, we gave a shot to Fancy (H-Conway Hall), who is a slim upset candidate. Also here is The Heart Lives On (H-RC Royalty).  

In the second division, Adriana Hanover (H-Credit Winner) is the only eligible. We’ll take our shot with Lady Crown. She never found the cones at Yonkers and should get a better trip this week. ‘

In the third division, Cowgirl Hall (H-Cash Hall) will likely take a lot of money. Bridge The Way (H-Conway Hall) has a great shot to beat her. She took the lead from post 7 at Yonkers but finished second. She gets a better post and may have a little energy left to pass them all in the stretch.  

In the final division, Lima Playmate (H-Credit Winner) and Anandamide (H-Credit Winner) are the only eligibles. Lima Playmate should come out victorious. She raced very well from post 8 at Yonkers and won by 39 lengths at Goshen before that. She should be sharp and ready to win this week.  

In a related story of eligibles, Prestidigitator (H-Kadabra) scored in an Ontario Sires Stake Gold Final at Georgian Downs last Saturday and the victory appears worth more than the prize money to trainer Dustin Jones, who spoke to The Harness Edge website.  

“It was the way he raced that matters. He is far more manageable and did it exactly the way [his driver] wanted him to do it,” said Jones., who is looking forward to a shot in the  Hambletonian.

“The game plan now is the Canadian Breeders Championship eliminations on [July 13] if they are needed and then the final before we head for the Meadowlands.” 

Prestidigitator earned a 1:54 lifetime mark but Jones was happier about the way he got around the five-eighths mile track.  

With $88,000 earned this year and $320,000 last season, Prestidigitator has banked over $400,000 for owner Ecurie Synergie of Montreal. 

Get to TwinSpires for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and read all the result stories at Hambletonian Society’s exclusive “trail” section.


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