Yonkers: Rose Run Cowboy, My Body Guard score in New York Sire Stakes

Heavy rain and a sloppy track made for a less than ideal night, but Rose Run Cowboy and My Body Guard braved the elements and defeated their competitors in a pair of New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old male pacers on Thursday (August 20) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

In addition to the sire stakes action, the program's Pick 5 was not hit, leading to a $4,177.54 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in Friday night's (August 21) sequence.

The guarantee in the Pick 5 is being offered as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program, and free Harness Eye past performances for the Pick 5 will be available here. The Pick 5, which begins in race five and has a $1 minimum, has a takeout rate of 20 percent.

In the first $74,500 NYSS grouping, Primacy Station (Matt Kakaley), racing as part of a favored Travis Alexander-trained entry, cleared Rose Run Cowboy (Yannick Gingras) for the lead coming to the 27 4/5 quarter. Primacy Station then backed down the half to 59 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:27 4/5 as Man On A Hunt (Todd McCarthy) attacked first-over from third as they raced in the backstretch for the final time.

Man On A Hunt grabbed an advantage on the outside early on the final bend but was unable to fully clear, which allowed Primacy Station to counter and quicken on the inside. Man On A Hunt began to fade before they turned for home, but Rose Run Cowboy had been waiting patiently for room and found it in the lane. Once Gingras swung Rose Run Cowboy to the outside in the stretch, he went by Primacy Station and on to the victory by a length and a half in 1:55 4/5, as Primacy Station wound up second and entrymate Bastonata Bluechip (Tyler Buter) came in third.

Ron Burke trains Rose Run Cowboy, a Huntsville colt bred by Larry Schlabach, for owners Thomas and Scott Dillon. Rose Run Cowboy has two wins, a second and a third in five starts, has earned $108,591 and paid $6.32 to win. The exacta was worth $10.46 and there was no trifecta wagering available.

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The second $73,100 split saw Marie's Jet (Jason Bartlett) cut fractions of 28 4/5, 59 3/5 and 1:28 4/5, but My Body Guard (Kakaley) tipped out of the two-hole on the far turn and rallied past Marie's Jet in the stretch to tally by a length and three-quarters in 1:57. Marie's Jet wound up second, followed by Beatle Blue Chip (McCarthy).

The victorious American Ideal gelding is trained by Travis Alexander for owners M Spacc Stables, C M T Farms and Alexander Racing Stable LLC. He has a summary of 4-2-2 from nine appearances, has pocketed $90,570 and returned $7.88 to win. The exacta kicked back $16.74 and there was no trifecta wagering available.

Three $20,000 New York Excelsior Series contests were also held and went to:

--Blast Blue Chip (by Shadow Play and bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Let It Ride Stables Inc., paid $3.58 to win) in 1:57 3/5 for driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Hunter Oakes and owner Exceed Stables LLC.;

--Its News To Me (by Huntsville and bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc. and Steve Jones, paid $6.22 to win) in 1:55 4/5 for driver Leon Bailey, trainer Chuck Connor Jr. and owner Ya Gotta Love It Stable;

--Lyin Inthe Shadows (by Shadow Play and bred by owner Bobbi Carney, paid $44.62 to win) in 1:57 3/5 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Andy Gardner.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is operating on a Monday/Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) except on Saturdays when it is 3:30 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--