Southwind Petyr, Stormy Kromer take Yonkers Opens

Yonkers Raceway held a co-feature $36,000 Open Pace and Trot Thursday (May 18) saw harness racing victories notched by Southwind Petyr (American Ideal) and Stormy Kromer (Dejarmbro).

The 3-5-Year-Old Open Pace was first up in the 4^th race where Southwind Petyr and driver Joe Bongiorno parked out race favorite Ultimaroca (Yannick Gingras) to first quarter in :27.2 before clearing to the lead.

They raced single file past the half mile marker in :56.1 before the action heated up. Going to the backstretch, Southwind Petyr was flushed first-over by Greg The Leg (Jason Bartlett) and started gaining on Ultimaroca at the three-quarters in 1:24.2.

By the top of the stretch, Southwind Petyr was nose to nose with Ultimaroca and as they raced down the stretch, Southwind Petyr proved to be the strong horse, winning by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:52.3. Ultimaroca was second with Caviart Sargent (Austin Siegelman) third.

SOUTHWIND PETYR REPLAY

It was the fourth win of the year for Southwind Petyr. The five-year-old gelding is trained by Jenn Bongiorno, who co-owns the horse with Ben Mondello. He paid $6.30 to win.

In the 8^th race $36,000 Open Trot it was Credit Con (Joe Bongiorno) was first on the lead then gave way by the first quarter in :27 as Highland Mowgli (Yannick Gingras) left from post eight and worked their way to the front. They raced single file past the half mile in :56.1.

By the backstretch, Stormy Kromer and driver Daniel Dube moved out first-over with Mississippi Storm (Brent Holland) second-over. By the three-quarters in 1:25.1, Stormy Kromer was neck and neck with Highland Mowgli and took over the lead on the final turn.

By the top of the stretch, Stormy Kromer was up by two and one-half lengths and breezed home, winning by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:54.3 over Mississippi Storm with Credit Con third.

STORMY KROMER REPLAY

It was the second straight win and third of the year for Stormy Kromer. The nine-year-old gelding is trained by Paul Stafford for owner Thomas Ceraso, Jr. and paid $15.80 to win.

John Calabrese secured a pocket ride for odds-on favorite Shoemaker Hanover (Cantab Hall) and blitzed for the lead around the final turn while holding his ground to take the $15,000 North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Spring Series Final.

Kasha’s Boy (driven by Alan Schwartz) cleared control from Shoemaker Hanover to a :28.4 first quarter while Judge Ken (Jacob Stillwell) pushed from the pylons to race third. Cyclone Maximus (Scott Keppler) attempted to get movement going along the rim to a :59 half but stalled as Kasha’s Boy cruised uncontested.

Off the slow first half, Calabrese made his attack up the backstretch. Shoemaker Hanover ground into Kasha’s Boy to take a narrow lead to three-quarters in 1:28.3 but remained alongside as Kasha’s Boy reclaimed control with the inside advantage.

Judge Ken sat on Shoemaker Hanover’s back spinning for home and tipped widest of all to make a three-high line driving for the finish. Shoemaker Hanover grabbed the lead and withstood a final push from Judge Ken to win by a neck in 1:59.1. Kasha’s Boy settled for third and Winneress (Anthony Verruso) gave chase in fourth.

SHOEMAKER HANOVER REPLAY

John Calabrese trains Shoemaker Hanover, a 10-year-old stallion he co-owns through his Calabrese Farms LLC with Michelle Rickey and paid $3.30 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink