Yonkers: R Melina beats her foes, the weather in NY Sire Stakes

MGM Yonkers Raceway was forced to cancel the remainder of Thursday night's (July 27) program after the fourth race due to persistent lightning and dangerous weather conditions in the area. Prior to the early end of the program, one of the two New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies was held, with R Melina getting the win in the $77,300 event.

Senorita Palema, driven by trainer Ake Svanstedt, led her four rivals through fractions of 29 1/5, 1:00 1/5 and 1:30 as the rain began to pour down, with driver Tyler Buter guiding R Melina to the outside from the pocket nearing three-quarters. Senorita Palema managed to fend off R Melina's bid around the final bend and into the lane, but R Melina wore her down in mid-stretch and went on to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59. Senorita Palema was the runner-up and Communion Money (Scott Zeron) checked in third.

A daughter of Chapter Seven-Goodtogo Hanover, R Melina is trained by John Butenschoen for owners M And L Of Delaware LLC. and Alabama Harness Associates LLC. Bred by Marsh Valley Standardbreds, the $110,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase has three wins and a third-place finish from four starts thus far, has earned $67,738 and returned $5.10 to win as the 3-2 second choice. The exacta was worth $8.50 and the trifecta paid $16.40.

Three of the four $20,000 New York Excelsior "A" Series contests also took place, with victories going to Karolina Solveig (by Crazy Wow and bred by Bernard White) in 2:01 2/5 for driver Joe Bongiorno, trainer Per Engblom, and owners Timothy Drag, Rich Preziotti and Vip Internet Stable LLC., Barn CJ (by Crazy Wow and bred by William Johnson) in 2:00 4/5 for driver Jason Bartlett, co-owner/trainer Steven Pratt and co-owners Nancy Pratt, Purple Haze Stables LLC. and Out In The Country Stable and Dozen (by Chapter Seven and bred by Diamond Creek Farm) in 1:59 1/5 for driver Scott Zeron, trainer Marcus Melander and owner Diamond Creek Racing.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Updates on points earned and purse distribution for the events that were not run will be provided when available.

The New York Sire Stakes circuit returns to MGM Yonkers Raceway next Thursday night (August 3) with 3-year-old pacing fillies competing in their sixth preliminary round.

Live racing takes place at MGM Yonkers Raceway on a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday-Saturday schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--