Yonkers: American Courage best in MGM Springfield Stakes final

American Courage seized control of the lead early on and kept pocket-sitter Town Gossip at bay in the lane to win the $104,250 MGM Springfield Stakes final for rookie pacing colts and geldings on Monday evening at Yonkers Raceway in 1:53 3/5.

Starting from post four off an impressive win in his elimination a week ago, American Courage just floated away off the gate for driver Matt Kakaley, but once he got the first turn out of the way, Kakaley hustled his charge up on the outside and cleared pole position starter Town Gossip (Joe Bongiorno) for command after the 28 2/5 opening quarter.

After getting to the point, Kakaley rated American Courage to half in just 57 4/5 and then picked up the tempo to three-quarters, reaching that station in 1:26. A first-over Carrythetorchman (Scott Zeron), who won the other elimination race a week ago, stalled out in third as the pace quickened, and the race would be down to two contenders as Bongiorno tipped Town Gossip off the pylons midway through the last turn.

Town Gossip had good momentum after coming to the outside, but Kakaley called on American Courage with vocal and whip-tap encouragement in the lane, and he responded, repelling Town Gossip's thrust to prevail by half a length. Crystal Beach (Marcus Miller) was third, Major Makover (George Brennan) advanced from eighth to fourth in the final quarter, and Carrythetorchman had to settle for fifth.

Now three-for-three in his career, American Courage, a colt by American Ideal, is trained by Travis Alexander for owner/breeder Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. American Courage, who has now pocketed $69,825, is the first foal out of the Art Major mare Nota Fool Bluechip (1:55 2/5, $17,750), a full sister to two millionaires in Feel Like A Fool (1:49 3/5, $1,269,988) and Fool Me Once (1:48 1/5, $1,111,642). American Courage was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.