YONKERS, NY, Monday, August 15, 2016 – New York Sire Stakes continued downstate Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $145,923 Mike Cohen Trot for harness racing 2-year-old fillies.
The trio of races honored the memory of the former Yonkers and NBC Sports publicity director, with family and friends making winner's circle presentations.
The third ($48,941) division was the evening's fastest, with Barn Bella (Jeff Gregory, $6.10) wiring her three rivals (two others were scratched). From post position No, 3, she led through intervals of :29.2, :59.4, 1:30.2 and 1:59.
The final margin was 3½ lengths, with Hotel Royale (Brian Sears) edging Heel on Wheels (Matt Kakaley) for second.
Mighty Surf (catch-driver Scott Zeron), as the 9-10 favorite, was not enamored of her environs in any way, shape or form. Very wide early, she eventually found a pocket before breaking, catching herself and breaking again.
For second choice Barn Bella, a daughter of Conway Hall co-owned by (trainer) Steve & Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables, it was her third win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $30.40, with triple wagering cancelled.
Monday's second ($48,941) event saw odds-on Mamora Bay (Sam Schillaci, $2.80)-last of the quintet (one scratch) turning for home after a behind-the-gate bobble-storm by to win going away.
From post No. 5, she defeated Run for Royalty (John Campbell) by a length-and-a-quarter in a life-best 1:59.3, with pace-setting (:30.1, 1:00,. 1:29.3) Flyhawk Charm (Jason Bartlett) settling for third.
For Mamora Bay, a Chapter Seven miss trained by her driver for owner Peter Barbato, she's now 3-for-5 (with a second and a third) this season. The exacta paid $18.40, with triple wagering again scrapped.
The evening's first ($48,091) sire stakes get-together had the three wagering choices all misbehave and the pair of double-digit propositions mind their manners.
Nightflix Hanover (Ray Schnittker, $29), inheriting a gift pocket from post No. 4, pulled against Reverend Nanny (Jordan Stratton) by the half, then widened. The final margin was 13¼ lengths in 2:03.3. Cherry Royal Ruby (Dan Daley), the 9-10 choice, recovered to beat the other two jumpers and finish third.
For fourth choice 'Nightflix', a Credit Winner miss co-owned (with Charlie Iannazzo, Ted Gewertz and Tom Spatorico) by her driver/trainer, it was a maiden-breaking win in her fifth start. The exacta paid $115.50, with triple wagering not offered due to only five scheduled/actual starters.
Statebreds are back at it at Thursday night, with the $151,624 Jim Meagher Pace (2-year-old colts/geldings).
Frank Drucker