Yonkers: Creampuff Macdaddy, Dontyouforgetit headline Yonkers Trot eliminations

Creampuff Macdaddy was an impressive winner Saturday in one of two $40,000 eliminations for the $450,000 Yonkers Trot (July 27). The Ontario-bred son of Ken Warkentin made two moves for catch-driver Jason Bartlett to control the pace as the 7-5 second choice.

Bartlett set modest fractions of :28 2/5, :58 4/5 and 1:28 before losing pocket-sitter and 4-5 betting choice Dewycolorintheline late on the final turn. Creampuff Macdaddy trotted home effortlessly in 1:56 3/5 for trainer Brad Maxwell who had entered the horse in Saturday’s Canadian Breeders Championship at Mohawk but obviously made the right choice shipping to Yonkers.

“He got easy fractions and he pulled away,” said Jason Bartlett. “I just tried to keep him calm and let him do what he wanted to do.”

Lauderdale was a solid third after racing without cover the final half and Cantab Abs finished fourth completing the finalists from the first division.

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In the second elimination 4-5 favorite Dontyouforgetit struggled to find a seat in fourth going to the quarter and then went up without cover and didn’t seem to be doing very well until the 8-5 second choice, pacesetting Detour Hanover, jumped late on the final turn. Once in front driver Jimmy Takter used the whip with regularity to urge the son of Cantab Hall to the wire. Bartlett, looking for a Trot elimination double, angled Fico to the outside on the final turn and appeared to have the winner in his sights only to fall a nose short on the wire. The mile was trotted in 1:57 2/5. Boffin and Celebrity Stimulus completed the finalists.

“He couldn’t get his footing. He worked hard and couldn’t get anywhere,” said Takter, reflecting on the awkward performance for the ultra-consistent colt. “I think I have a heck of a shot to do well in the final.”

The action was fast and furious on the opening bend for the $111,250 Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace. It proved too fast for favorite Western Conquest and third choice Gotta Laugh Again (coupled with Stevensville). Both colts broke on the first turn which allowed Forty Five Red, the 5-2 second choice, to gain command easily and waltz to the half in a comfortable :59 seconds. From there driver Dan Dube put the pedal down and dominated the race scoring easily in 1:55 4/5. Thereisapaceforus and Disarrei finished second and third behind the winner, a New York-bred son of If I Can Dream.

“He’s pretty handy, does everything right and is nice to drive,” said Dube following the victory.