Driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travis Alexander celebrated a double win in the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old male pacers at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
In the first $114,583 division, run on a track rated 'sloppy,' Howlenthehills (1/9 favourite) surged from the back to win in 1:52.4. After being overtaken early by Vandiemen Bluechip, Howlenthehills took over the lead on the second turn, finishing 3-1/4 lengths ahead of Bruces Vo N Coke. Texas Holdem was demoted to fourth due to a pylon violation. Howlenthehills, owned by Symmetry Stables LLC and bred by Crawford Farms, now has nine wins from 18 starts and earnings of $462,317. The exacta returned $5.70, and the trifecta paid $14.80.
In the $116,667 second division, Huntingforchrome (1/2 favourite) secured a victory with Kakaley in the sulky, winning by a neck in 1:54.1. After tracking the duel between Boston Rocks and Seen Here, Huntingforchrome powered past Boston Rocks in the stretch. Bred by Crawford Farms and owned by Ny Seb Inc., Huntingforchrome has now earned $353,949 with a record of 7-2-2 from 24 starts. The exacta paid $4.70, and the trifecta returned $17.80.
In additional races, two $27,777 New York Excelsior "A" Series splits were won by:
- Jones Hanover(1:54.4), driven by Jim Marohn Jr., trained by Mike Deters, and owned by Old Block Stables Inc., Kenneth Klein, and Stephen Demeter.
- Pop It (1:54.4), driven by Brent Holland, trained by Ray Schnittker, and owned by Schnittker Arnold, Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, and Ted Gewertz.
New York Sire Stakes action continues at MGM Yonkers Raceway next Thursday, August 15, featuring three-year-old filly pacers in their final regular-season leg.