Young Ladies on Parade” was the theme at the harness racing meeting on Monday night, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $147,723 New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace for 2-year-old fillies.
Three divisions, at $48,941 per, comprised the event.
Soft Ideal (Jim Morrill Jr.) couldn’t even wait for the wagering to begin, winning both the draw and the non-betting event.
The daughter of American Ideal sat patiently pocketed, then ducked inside.
She whipped pace-setting American Ivy (Brian Sears) by a length-and-three-quarters in a life-best 1:56.2. Dime a Dance (George Brennan) was third.
For Soft Ideal, trained by Linda Toscano for co-owners The Bay’s Stable, Radio Racing Stable (a Harvey Nagler production), Little E LLC and South Mountain Stables, it was her second (NYSS) win in three tries.
The second sire stakes event saw odds-on Vino and Formaggio (Jason Bartlett) stuff Killing ‘Em Softly (Brennan, $6.40) in behind early, only to watch her ease past late.
The second choice, from post position No.4 after an inside scratch, whipped the favorite by a length in 1:57.3. Rockin’ Date (Matt Kakaley) was third.
For Killing ‘Em Softly, an American Ideal miss trained by Casie Coleman for co-owners Andrew Harris and West Wins Stable, it was her second (NYSS) win in as many starts. The exacta paid $11.60, with triple wagering cancelled due a short (five-horse) field.
The evening’s final statebred event saw No Clouds Bluechip (Sears, $12.60) try to leave, take back, then go first-up to first home in maiden-breaking/night’s-fastest 1:56.
From post No. 3, she went over a tiring Wishy Washy Girl (Bartlett), then widen to win by 2Ā¼ lengths. Mother of Art (Kakaley) was second, with Penpal (Pat Lachance) third.
Wishy Washy Girl tired to fourth, while 9-10 favorite Freeze Out (Marcus Miller) was a non-factor sixth.
For fourth choice “No Clouds,” a daughter of Roll With Joe trained by John Berger for co-owners Barbara Berger and Richard & Farrell Carney, she’s now 1-for-4 to begin her career.
The exacta paid $71, with the triple returning $361.
The Raceway’s live season continues Tuesday afternoon (first post 1 PM), then Thursday through Saturday (post time 7:10 PM)
Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.
Frank Drucker