Yonkers: Post eight no problem for still-undefeated Gimpanzee

The public figured it out Monday night (Aug. 20th) with Yonkers Raceway hosting the $160,400 New York Sire Stakes Michael Sorentino Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings, and a pair of $80,200 events led to a pair of winning favorites.

The opening division saw Gimpanzee (Brian Sears, $3) mock both an eight-hole and seven outclassed foes for an as-he-pleased 4 1/4 length win in 1:57 3/5.

Away fourth early, Gimpanzee went up and over early (28 3/5 and 59 2/5) leader Cavill Hanover (Dan Duve) before a 1:28.2 three-quarters. Gimpanzee opened 3 1/2 lengths into the lane, then finished it off because the rules said he had to. Our White Knight (Scott Zeron) did get into second (for the fifth time), with Bazillionaire (Trond Smedshammer) third and Brady Bunch (Andy Miller)—who broke at the outset—fourth.

As for Gimpanzee, the son of Chapter Seven hasn’t been tested thus far, winning his first four (NYSS) races by a combined 16 1/2 lengths. Gimpanzee is trained by Marcus Melander for Delray Beach, Florida, co-owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. The exacta paid $44, the triple returned $307 and the superfecta paid $1,467

“He’s just very mature,” Sears—single digits away from 10,000 career wins—said.

The evening’s second and final grouping was won by Chapter Fashion ($5.90), who two-moved to the lead from post position seven, then held sway (29 2/5, 59 3/5, 1:29, and 1:58 1/5).

Thunder (Zeron) tried it first-up, missing three-quarters of a length, with Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.) third and Xcuseme (John Stark Jr.) fourth. The other half of the field, including second-choice Keystone Cash (Jimmy Takter), all misbehaved at some juncture.

For Chapter Fashion, a Chapter Seven gelding owned by Fashion Farms and trained by Jim Campbell, it was his second (consecutive) win in five ’18 tries. The exacta paid $17.80, the triple paid $45.20 and the superfecta paid $438.

“He seemed to get around the track alright,” Bartlett said. “There was some movement, but we weren’t going very fast.”

--press release (Yonkers)--