Yonkers: Field set for MGM Springfield Stakes after two elims

American Courage and Carrythetorchman, both by American Ideal, won the two $25,000 eliminations of the MGM Springfield Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Monday night at Yonkers Raceway.

In the first elimination the lead was held by Major Makover (George Brennan), He's A Snob (Tyler Buter), and Crystal Beach (Marcus Miller) in the first three-eighths of the mile, but once American Courage (Matt Kakaley) grabbed command passing the 59 2/5 half, it was lights out for the competition. He pushed his advantage out to two lengths over the pocket-sitting Crystal Beach at the 1:27 3/5 three-quarters, then ran up the margin to 7 1/4 lengths at the end of the 1:55 2/5 mile. Town Gossip (Joe Bongiorno) rallied from sixth to second in the last quarter, followed by Crystal Beach and Major Makover.

American Courage, who won an overnight race at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono prior to tonight's victory, is trained by Travis Alexander for owner/breeder Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. American Courage is the first foal out of the Art Major mare Nota Fool Bluechip (1:55 2/5, $17,750), a full sister to two millionaires in Feel Like A Fool (1:49 3/5, $1,269,988) and Fool Me Once (1:48 1/5, $1,111,642). American Courage was the 1-5 favorite and paid $2.70 to win.

The other elimination was much less eventful as Carrythetorchman (Scott Zeron) stepped around fellow Erv Miller trainee Not Today (Marcus Miller) for the lead well before the 29 second opening quarter. From there, Carrythetorchman hit the half in 58 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26 4/5 en route to a 1 1/2 length tally in 1:55 4/5. Coalition Hanover (Dexter Dunn) was the runner-up after a first-over try in the final quarter, with Victory Move (Kakaley) third and Not Today fourth.

Ron Michelon and War Horse Stables own Carrythetorchman, who won in his pari-mutuel debut after victories in qualifiers at Wingate Farm and The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Carrythetorchman, out of the Astreos mare Kattimon (1:53 4/5, $196,346), was bred by Winbak Farm and fetched $70,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. He is a full brother to Devil Child (1:49 1/5, $604,549) and a half-brother to Classic Pro (Shadow Play, 1:51, $426,460). Racing as part of an entry with Victory Move that was favored at 1-5, Carrythetorchman returned $2.70 to win.