Yonkers: Duval Street wins NYSS race in first pari-mutuel start

Two-year-old colt and gelding pacers paid a visit to Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday night (July 5) for three New York Sire Stakes divisions.

In the first $50,400 split Johnny Sack (Mark MacDonald) took over the lead from Livonjaxandqueens (Jordan Stratton) after the 27 2/5 quarter and then would hit the half in 56 2/5. Johnny Sack withstood a first-over try from Ben Solo (Austin Siegelman) on the way to the 1:26 three-quarters and around the last turn, but driver Brian Sears tipped 4-5 favorite Duval Street out three-wide from second-over late on the bend, and Duval Street had the most pace in the lane, rallying by Johnny Sack on his way to a 1 1/2 length decision in 1:54 3/5. Livonjaxandqueens wound up third.

Duval Street, trained by Nifty Norman, is a Huntsville-Native Bride gelding bred by Sundance Stable LLC. and Jay Sears and now owned by Sundance Stable LLC. and Kim Sears. Duval Street was making his pari-mutuel debut after winning baby races at Magical Acres and Harrah's Philadelphia. He paid $3.90 to win and led a $10.20 exacta and a $30.40 trifecta.

The second $50,400 section saw That Dog Will Hunt (Jason Bartlett) blast to the early lead from post four, but Kid Of The Bronx (MacDonald), who went wide on the first turn, drove on and took over the top spot before the 27 4/5 opening quarter. Kid From The Bronx backed down the half to just 57 4/5 but then dueled with a first-over Bandito Joe (Matt Kakaley) past that marker, with Bandito Joe poking a head in front at the 1:26 2/5 three-quarters.

Kid From The Bronx battled back gamely on the inside on the last turn and into the lane to regain command, but Bandito Joe kept plugging away on the outside and surged again late in the stretch, and that final thrust was enough to get him by Kid From The Bronx at the wire to prevail by a nose in 1:54 4/5. That Dog Will Hunt was the third-place finisher.

Travis Alexander trains and co-owns Bandito Joe, a gelded son of Roll With Joe-Blind Faith bred by Mark Powell, with partners Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC., D'Elegance Stable Ix, and T L P Stable. Bandito Joe broke his maiden in his second pari-mutuel attempt, pushed his earnings to $27,000, and returned $31.00 to win as a 14-1 offering. The exacta was worth $214.50 and the trifecta kicked back $704.

Its A Me Mario (Bartlett) clicked off fractions of 28 1/5, 58 3/5, and 1:27 1/5 in the last $49,500 flight, but American Fling (Scott Zeron) went first-up from third as they raced in the backstretch for the final time and moved into second before three-quarters. Its A Me Mario managed to keep command around the final turn as American Fling drifted out a bit, but once they straightened up in the lane, American Fling paced by Its A Me Mario and went on to a 1 1/4 length victory in 1:55. Southwind Tito (Siegelman) grabbed third.

The victorious American Ideal gelding is trained by Ed Hart for the ownership group of Randy Bendis, Reed Broadway, and Pollack Racing LLC. American Fling, who was bred by White Birch Farm and brought $25,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has a record of 2-1-0 from three starts, and he has now pocketed $52,375. He paid $2.70 to win as the 1-5 choice and keyed a $4.50 exacta and a $14.60 trifecta.

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Heave Ho (by American Ideal, 1:57 1/5), Hot Shot Joe (by Roll With Joe, 1:57 3/5), and Human Cocktail (by Huntsville, 1:56 4/5) won the three $15,000 New York Excelsior "A" Series events that took place on the program. David Miller piloted Heave Ho, who was bred by Delaware Valley University, for trainer Sam Schillaci and owners Schillaci Stables LLC. and Sam Bova Racing LLC., Scott Zeron drove Hot Shot Joe, a Crawford Farms-bred, for trainer Todd Luther and owner Black Magic Racing LLC., and Jason Bartlett was in the bike behind Human Cocktail for trainer Gareth Dowse and owner/co-breeder Stephen Demeter.

There was also one $6,500 New York Excelsior "B" Series tilt, and Wasn't Me (by American Ideal) won the non-wagering event in 1:58 1/5 for driver Jason Bartlett, co-owner/trainer Jim Graham, and co-owners Edward Peron, Timothy Warner, and Paul Tandlmayer. Wasn't Me was bred by White Birch Farm.

In other stakes news from Yonkers, the MGM Springfield Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers required no eliminations and will advance straight to the $98,750 final on Saturday, July 16. The entrants are Francis Raia trainees Married Man and Major Decision, trainer Travis Alexander's Downrightdelicious, Michael Hall pupil Music Hall and Jake Huff student Captain Mikey.

Yonkers is currently operating on a Monday-Saturday live racing schedule with post time at 6:55 p.m.

--press release (Yonkers)--