New York Sire Stakes action at Yonkers

Hunting Hula and Tarrific gave sire Huntsville victories in both New York Sire Stakes divisions for sophomore harness racing pacing fillies that took place on Thursday night (August 15) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

In the first $82,500 split, Hunting Hula (driven by Mark MacDonald) went to the front from post four and cut fractions of 27.4, 57.2 and 1:25.2. She’s Epic (Tyler Buter) made a first-over move out of third past the half and got into second coming to three-quarters, but she stalled and then dropped back on the last turn, which allowed pocket-sitter and favorite A Few Choice Words (Jim Marohn Jr.) to come to the outside in the stretch.

A Few Choice Words had pace after tipping out, but not enough as Hunting Hula held her off to prevail by half a length in 1:52.4. Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) was up for third after a second-over trip.

Bruce Lauer trains Hunting Hula, who was bred by Pat Lachance and Z Tam Stables LLC., for owner It’s All Good Racing LLC. Hunting Hula won for the fourth time in her career, has now earned $179,472 and paid $18.00 to win as a 8-1 offering. She keyed a $43.40 exacta and a $126.00 trifecta.

HUNTING HULA REPLAY

The other $84,000 flight saw Tarrific (Bartlett) make Camerican (Jordan Stratton) work most of a 27.4 quarter before releasing her to sit in the pocket. Camerican would go on to the half in 57.1, but Bartlett and Tarrific attacked two-wide on the third turn and Tarrific landed on the engine before the 1:24.4 three-quarters was reached. From there it was all Tarrific as she pulled away from the rest of the field on her way to a four length tally in 1:52.2. Avyanna (Buter) finished second and Stepabovetherest (Scott Zeron) collected third.

TARRIFIC REPLAY

A pair of $20,000 New York Excelsior “A” Series tests for 3-year-old filly pacers also took place, with the victories going to Dizzy Lizzy (by So Surreal, bred by Morrisville Col Fdn Inc., paid $4.40 to win) in 1:54.2 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Ronald Harp and owners Diane Harp, Venitia Harp and Nicholas Gibides and Tempville (by Huntsville, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, paid $3.40 to win) in 1:54.2 for driver Tyler Buter, trainer George Ducharme and owner Purple Haze Stables LLC.

This concluded the regular season visits for the New York Sire Stakes circuit at Yonkers, but the oval will host the finals on Saturday, September 7 as part of a program that also includes the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot, the Aria Invitational Pace and the Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot. Post time for that card is 12 p.m. (EDT).

Friday night’s (August 16) card at Yonkers will feature a $6,205.72 carryover and a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 after the sequence was not hit on Thursday night.

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

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday/Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

From Yonkers Raceway Media