NYSS and Sheppard Pace head Yonkers weekend

YONKERS, NY, Wednesday, July 13, 2016–Yonkers Raceway's weekend finds another visits from the statebreds and a glimpse–perhaps–at the stars of the future.

Friday night's $167,874 New York Sire Stakes Art Watson Pace showcases the 3-year-old fillies in a pair of divisions, going as races 6 and 11.

The opener, worth $83,937, offers up a three-headed, Ron Burke-trained monster in Dime a Dance (Matt Kakaley, post 2), Mother of Art (Joe Bongiorno, post 3) and Art Critic (George Brennan, post 8).

Dime a Dance, a Roll with Joe lass, was third in the $100,000 Lismore Pace here in late May.

Seafood Linda (Brian Sears, post 1), with a pair of Excelsior wins, and Soft Idea (Jason Bartlett, post 6), a sire stakes winner at Monticello, loom as main adversaries.

Friday's second NYSS events includes Time on My Hands (Bartlett, post 4), thrice a winner in six seasonal starts. The daughter of American Ideal makes her first purse try In 23 days and her first money start since adding Lasix.

American Ivy (Andy Miller, post 6) also makes her first 'real' start in the time frame and she tries for a third sire stakes win of the season.

Saturday night's $100,000 Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace, the Raceway's premier open event for frosh colts and geldings, goes as the sixth race.

If the lads knew what they sold for, Humboldt (Mark MacDonald, post 3) might have an attitude problem. The $130,000 (as I'm Really Special) American Ideal colt cost more than the rest of his rivals put together.

Humboldt makes his parimutuel debut for owner Brixton Medical and trainer Jimmy Takter. He's partnered in the wagering with Southwind Diablo (Brennan, post 1).

Summer Side (Ray Schnittker, post 6) was a solid second in a PA Sire Stake event, while Chip Walther (Bartlett, post 5) won a Landmark event at Goshen. The latter is coupled with Rollin' About (Brent Holland, post 2).

Note that the Empire Terrace dining room is open Saturday night, featuring a limited a la carte menu, with seatings available from 6 PM-9:30 PM. Reservations (914-457-2457) are suggested.

by Frank Drucker, for Yonkers RacewayNYSS