Antognoni S was a dominant winner in 2:25 3/5 over the mile and a quarter distance in the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series final on Friday (December 19) afternoon at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Driven by co-owner Yannick Gingras, Antognoni S settled in mid-pack early while Sir Pinocchio (Jason Bartlett), Asteroid (Colin Kelly) and Cecil Hanover (Brett Beckwith) showed speed. Sir Pinocchio was in front in a 27 3/5 quarter, and while Asteroid was able to find a seat in the pocket, Cecil Hanover couldn't find a hole and had to remain two-wide.
Sir Pinocchio remained in front of the parked-out Cecil Hanover to the half in 57 4/5, and the outer tier would fill up behind Cecil Hanover with Antognoni S, Take All Comers (Todd McCarthy), Dribbling Bi (Daniel Dube) and Ultion Face S (Tyler Buter). There was little change to three-quarters in 1:27 4/5, but Gingras would fire Antognoni S out three-wide beyond that marker to get around his entrymate Cecil Hanover.
After being tipped out, Antognoni S quickly trotted up to join Sir Pinocchio as they pulled away from the others. Antognoni S sustained his bid to forge his way around Sir Pinocchio beyond the 1:56 2/5 mile marker, and it was all Antognoni S from there as he trotted away to win by ten lengths. Sir Pinocchio had to settle for second, followed by Ari Ferrari J (Jim Marohn Jr.), Take All Comers and Asteroid.
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Ron Burke trains Antognoni S for Gingras and the other co-owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and FAC Racing LLC. Antognoni S, a 5-year-old Father Patrick gelding bred by Pellpac AB and the winner of the John Brennan Trotting Series final at Yonkers earlier this year, has a summary of 22-5-6 from 44 starts, has earned $542,861 and returned $3.90 to win. He led a $4.84 exacta and a $39.18 trifecta.
"He was so good tonight," said Burke. "He will be in all the big races next year."
Keg Stand (Matt Kakaley) was brave after an extended first-over grind and was able to wear down leader Security Protected (Cory Stratton) late to win the $100,000 MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series consolation in 2:30 for the mile and a quarter. Mississippi Storm (Brent Holland) rallied from second-over and also got by Security Protected at the wire to get the runner-up spot. Amigo Volo (McCarthy) and Hot Flash Kimmy (Gingras) completed the top five.
Keg Stand, a 6-year-old gelded son of Bar Hopping, was sent out of Nick Devita for owners David Hamm and EVM Racing LLC. Bred by M Biasuzzi Stable Inc., Keg Stand is a 28-time winner from 97 appearances, has pocketed $959,600 and returned $8.92 to win. He keyed a $241.24 exacta and a $959.36 trifecta.
--press release (Yonkers)--