Yonkers: Downbytheseaside set to cruise in Messenger

If past performance is any indication of the future then Downbytheseaside should be standing in the winner’s circle following Saturday’s $500,000 Messenger final.

Coming off an 8-1/2 length elimination win versus the same foes he’ll face on Saturday, the Brian Brown-trained 3-year-old colt seems destined for heavy favoritism despite starting from the outside post seven.

Downbytheseaside is currently on a two-race winning streak. He captured the $300,000 Milstein memorial at Northfield Park two starts back. Despite winning in a sizzling 1:51 in his elimination, Brown is expecting him to be even better this week.

“Last week his feet were pretty sore,” said Brown. “We switched to flip-flops and he improved instantly. He should be sounder than last week.”

As with every trainer before a big race, Brown was concerned that post seven would pose a problem since there could potentially be more “action” throughout the mile.

“I really don’t like post seven, but I have all the confidence in the world in the horse and Brian (Sears, driver),” said Brown.

Downbytheseaside has won seven of 11 starts in 2017 and earned $706,216 for owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Rich Lombardo and Diamond Creek Racing.

Should Downbytheseaside produce as expected, it could be a scrum for the other top spots. The second through eigth-place finishers in last week’s elimination were separated by only 3-1/4 lengths at the wire. Art Scene took the place that night and starts from post four with Jordan Stratton in the bike.

The Messenger (Race 4) is one of four stakes on the 12-race Saturday card at Yonkers that also includes the $500,000 Yonkers Trot, $119,010 Hudson Filly Trot and $113,880 Lady Maud Pace.

Three trotters stand out in the Yonkers Trot, with Devious Man (5/2) earning morning line favortism starting from post one with Andy Miller in the bike. The pair finished a neck behind fellow contender Yes Mickey in last week’s elimination. Driver/trainer Ake Svanstedt will handle Yes Mickey from post 6.

Fellow elimiantion winner Guardian Angel AS leaves from post four with Jason Bartlett in the bike. The Anette Lorentzon-trained colt has won two straight and seven of 12 starts this year.

The winner of the 9-horse Yonkers Trot final will earn a berth into the October 14 $1,000,000 Yonkers International.

The stakes-filled Yonkers program kicks off at 7:10 p.m.