AI remained undefeated and tied the MGM Yonkers Raceway track record for a 2-year-old colt trotter when he captured the first of two $74,500 New York Sire Stakes divisions on Thursday evening (July 24) in 1:56 3/5. In addition to AI's victory, driver Yannick Gingras, trainer Ron Burke and sire Chapter Seven also won the other split with Who's Eyes Blues.
Titans Mischief (Matt Kakaley) showed strong speed and led AI early, but Gingras brought AI to the outside prior to the 28 4/5 quarter and had control before that station was reached. From there, AI went on to the half in 58 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:28 before he closed in 28 3/5 to defeat Titans Mischief by 3 1/2 lengths. Spencer Hanover (Dexter Dunn) was third.
The time of 1:56 3/5 put AI in the record book alongside Gimpanzee, whose mile came back on September 22, 2018.
Bred in New York by Steve Jones, AI is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. He has earned $155,000 to go with his four-for-four record and paid $2.50 to win. He was atop a $4.30 exacta and a $6.50 trifecta.
In the second flight Angry Pete (John Stark Jr.) was in front at the 30 2/5 quarter-mile marker, but Who's Eyes Blues and Gingras, who had tipped out of fourth on the second turn, moved up side-by-side with him on the way to the 1:01 1/5 half. Angry Pete was able to counter and quicken on the inside to keep Who's Eyes Blues on the rim, but Who's Eyes Blues finally wore him down and went by nearing the 1:30 1/5 three-quarters.
After Who's Eyes Blues cleared to the point, Chapter Geo J (Joe Bongiorno) took up the chase from first-over, and he had trot and gained all the way to the wire. Who's Eyes Blues was just able to stave off Chapter Geo J, though, as he got to the wire a nose to the good in a 1:59 4/5 mile. Chapter Geo J was a game second in his career debut and Secured (Ake Svanstedt) collected third.
► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter
A Fair Winds Farm-bred, Who's Eyes Blues competes for Burke Racing Stable LLC., Frank Baldachino, Hatfield Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. Who's Eyes Blues has two wins from three outings, has banked $55,906 and returned $3.90 to win. He keyed a $16.60 exacta and a $49.20 trifecta.
"The best part is I think Who’s Eyes Blues might be better," said Burke when asked about AI, who also posted a track record at Buffalo for Gingras - in his first start at that track since 2016 - in the previous leg of the sire stakes. "AI is good but training down we all said Who's Eyes Blues is better. We expect both to do good things."
One $20,000 New York Excelsior Series race for the rookie colt and gelding trotters was won by Devious Man gelding Goog Eyes in 2:02 for driver Jordan Stratton, trainer Phil Fluet and owner/breeder Bonnie Woodward. Goog Eyes broke his maiden in his fourth chance, has now pocketed $25,000 and paid $5.50 to win. The exacta was $40.20 and the trifecta kicked back $652.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday/Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. (EDT). The New York Sire Stakes circuit will be back at the oval on August 5 with the fifth leg for 2-year-old trotting fillies.
--press release (Yonkers)--