Yonkers, Crazy Wow, Habitat score in YR Trot elims

Trainer Ron Burke captured both $40,000 Yonkers Trot eliminations on Saturday night, with Colonial Trot winner Crazy Wow scoring out of the pocket for driver Tim Tetrick in the first and Yannick Gingras reining Habitat in the second.

Crazy Wow was content to sit a two-hole in his elimination as Buen Camino left alertly from the pole position. Buen Camino set fractions of 28 1/5, 58 2/5 and 1:27 2/5 only accelerating on the backstretch when Hambletonian winner and race favorite Pinkman pulled to challenge. On the final turn Pinkman had to be grabbed up by Gingras losing valuable momentum. That paved the way for Crazy Wow to emerge along the inside and get the win in 1:55 4/5. Pinkman re-rallied for second with Buen Camino third. Workout Wonder was the fourth-place finisher and advances to the $500,000 Yonkers Trot final on September 5.

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“The pylons got in my way,” said Tetrick, referring to a brush on the final turn that necessitated an inquiry. No violation was found.

Gingras rebounded in the second division, getting through the first turn cleanly and then marching down the road with Habitat, the second choice. The son of Conway Hall had the lead in a moderate 29-second opening quarter then stole a 58 4/5 half before cruising to a 1:55 3/5 victory. Pocket-sitter Southwind Mozart finished second with Billy Flynn and French Laundry advancing. Centurion ATM, the 3-5 favorite, broke before the start.

“He had plenty left and he finished with the earplugs in,” said Gingras after the race. The driver also noted he will return next Saturday to drive Pinkman in the final. “They made a bridle change because he was too aggressive at the start last week,” said Gingras, who added that he liked Pinkman when he was more aggressive and that changes would be made.

Jason Bartlett guided Murderers Row to a 1:56 3/5 victory in the $149,240 Hudson Filly Trot over pacesetter Lady Winona with Scented Roses finishing third. Chuck Sylvester trains the daughter of Donato Hanover out of the champion mare Housethatruthbuilt. It was the second win of the year for Murderers Row in eight starts.

Purrfect Bags had to work hard under intense pressure from Bettor N Better through the stretch but prevailed as the 1-5 favorite in the $116,430 Lady Maud Final. Strut My Stuff finished third in the 1:53 mile.

Purrfect Bags won for the eighth time this year in just 10 starts for driver Victor Kirby and trainer Jim King Jr.