YONKERS, NY, Monday, September 12, 2016 — As a sidebar to Monday night's New York Sire Stakes soiree for trotters at Yonkers Raceway, a perfect harness racing pacer invaded Westchester for the first time.
Prairie Sweetheart (Matt Kakaley, $2.10) made it 11 wins in as many career starts, easily winning the $25,000 ninth-race pace (:27.4, :56.2, 1:24.2, 1:52.1). The final margin, from post position No. 5, was 4¼ lengths.
The 3-year-old daughter of Royel Millennium, co-owned by her trainer (Mike Deters), her breeder (Laurie Poulin) and John Spindler, first made her name by slapping around Sunshine State rivals down at Pompano last fall.
'Sweetheart' was originally scheduled to race here last month (different condition), but came up ill.
"She just jogged," Kakaley said after her fourth win as many 2016 tries. "For her first start over a half (-mile track), I was a bit careful in the first turn, but from here, no concerns. Easy sailing.
"She's a real nice filly. I wish they could have supplemented to her into some late-season stakes to give her a shot, but I think the plan is to race her here once more, then go back (to Pompano) for some Florida-bred races."
Monday's win increased Prairie Sweetheart's career earnings to $98,774.
Frank Drucker