Yonkers: Merga Hanover quickest in New York Sire Stakes divisions

On Friday night (August 2) Yonkers Raceway hosted the $153,900 New York Sire Stakes Frank Becerra Pace for 2-year-old fillies. A trio of $51,300 races comprised the event.

The first division saw Racine Bell (Jason Bartlett, $5.80), as the lone leaver, make her five rivals pay (29, 59 2/5, 1:28 1/5, career-best 1:56 1/5). From post position five, Racine Bell opened three lengths in and out of the final turn before winning by that same margin. Rapunzel Blue Chip (George Brennan) was a loose-pocket second, with 11-10 favorite Dragon Roll (Jordan Stratton) a non-threatening, first-up third. Galleria Gal (Tyler Buter) was fourth.

For second choice Racine Bell, a daughter of So Surreal co-owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by Dave Dewhurst, it was her third win in six seasonal/career starts. The exacta paid $51.50, the triple returned $151.50, and the superfecta paid $378.

The evening’s second sire stakes rendition saw another down-the-road dominatrix in Merga Hanover (Brennan, $4.30). From post three, the public choice held So Rude (Joe Bongiorno) at bay by a head after spongy intervals of 29 1/5, 59 1/5, 1:27 4/5, and 1:56. Movie Town (Buter) was a three-hole third, with Wannashakeyourtree (Bartlett) fourth.

For Merga Hanover, an American Ideal miss co-owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon, Joe Sbrocco, and W.J. Donovan, it was her third win in four seasonal/career tries. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $8.20, the triple paid $31, and the superfecta paid $82.

Form didn’t hold in the third and final state-sired division as 1-2 choice Turnthefrownaround (Bartlett) jumped it off by the half while sitting third. Of those that remained pacing as required, a maiden-no-longer Tipperary Hill (Buter, $59) outgamed Cash Roll (Stratton) by a head in 1:56 3/5.

The latter had taken over from first leader Chuppah On (Harry Landy), putting up subsections of 28 1/5, 57 4/5, and 1:27 2/5. Meanwhile, pole-sitting Tipperary Hill improved a position when the favorite jumped, then engaged the leader through the final turn before prevailing. Roll With Angel (Dan Dube) and Chuppah On rounded out the gimmick finishers.

For sixth choice Tipperary Hill, an Art Major miss co-owned by David Smith, James De Armond, and James and Daniel Giannuzzi and trained by Jessica Okusko, it was a first board finish in three ‘19/life starts. The exacta paid $144.50, the triple paid $584, and the superfecta paid $2,859.

--press release (Yonkers)--