Yonkers: Cowgirl Hanover nets a New York Sire Stakes hat trick

Cowgirl Hanover improved to three-for-three in her career and came up just two-fifths of a second short of the track record for a 2-year-old pacing filly when she won the second of two $74,500 New York Sire Stakes divisions on Thursday night at MGM Yonkers Raceway in 1:53 3/5. Earlier on the program, Send It Down Slim prevailed in 1:56 2/5.

Shes A Streaker (Yannick Gingras) worked most of a 27 2/5 opening quarter to get by Bronx Mixer (Mark MacDonald) to take command, and then once she had the top, Shes A Streaker would back down the half to 57 2/5. Watching that from third was Cowgirl Hanover (Scott Zeron), and Zeron would bring her to the outside before Shes A Streaker got to three-quarters in 1:25 3/5.

On the final bend Cowgirl Hanover moved up to get side-by-side with Shes A Streaker and then Cowgirl Hanover forged her way by early in the stretch drive. From there Cowgirl Hanover opened up to the wire, defeating Shes A Streaker by two lengths despite suffering broken equipment. Bronx Mixer ended up third.

A Huntsville filly bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., Cowgirl Hanover is trained by Jared Bako for owner Ny Seb Inc. An $85,000 buy at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, Cowgirl Hanover has earned $116,500 to go with her three victories and paid $3.90 to win as the 4-5 second choice. She keyed a $7.20 exacta and a $12.60 trifecta.

Send It Down Slim (MacDonald) made it look easy back in the opening flight as she led the way through fractions of 29 2/5, 59 3/5 and 1:28 2/5 on her way to a 3 1/4 length win over pocket-sitter Chanceoflightning (Jordan Stratton). Lonely Ghost (Jason Bartlett) finished in the third spot.

Another daughter of Huntsville, Send It Down Slim is trained by Ray Schnittker for owner Grozcona Racing Stable LLC. She has a summary of 2-0-1 from three appearances, has banked $75,256 and returned $3.70 to win as the favorite. The exacta was worth $8.10 and the trifecta kicked back $22.80.

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There were also four $20,000 New York Excelsior "A" Series events for the rookie pacing fillies, with victories going to:

--Love Trouble (by American Ideal and bred by Winbak Farm, paid $7.30 to win) in 1:58 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Tom Fanning and owner Fanning Racing LLC.;

--Fashion Terror (by Huntsville and bred by owner All Star Racing Inc., paid $3.40 to win) in 1:58.3 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Mark Ford;

--Courtly Maiden (by Courtly Choice and bred by Winbak Farm, paid $6.20 to win) in 1:58 2/5 for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer/co-owner Blake MacIntosh and co-owners Hutt Racing Stable and Gilles Landry;

--On Cloud Wine (by Huntsville and bred by Steve Jones and Jonathan Kurnit, paid $2.70 to win) in 1:56 3/5 for driver Mark MacDonald, trainer/co-owner Ray Schnittker and co-owners Steven Arnold and Nolamaura Racing LLC.

New York Sire Stakes action will continue on Thursdays at MGM Yonkers Raceway through the month, as the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters will compete next week (July 18) and then 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters will be in town on the 25th.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday/Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--