He's Gorgeous looks good in NYSS

Standout state-bred He's Gorgeous (Jason Bartlett) went up and over his competition--and the $400,000 career earnings plateau, winning the fastest Monday night division of Yonkers Raceway's $276,000 New York Sire Stakes Bruce Hamilton Pace.

He's Gorgeous was the prohibitive 3-10 favorite in the $69,650 first grouping for the 3-year-old colts and geldings.
      
He's Gorgeous, getting an early wheel-disc reminder from post position No. 4, made the lead just after a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. He then found a   :56.2 and 1:25 three-quarters as Triple Major (George Brennan) pulled from third. He's Gorgeous had a length-and-three-quarter lead turning for home, then  widened to 2 1/2 lengths at the 1:53.1 wire. Triple Major held second, with Real Gentleman third.

For He's Gorgeous, an Art Major colt trained by Linda Toscano for owner Ken Jacobs, he returned $2.60 for his third win in six seasonal starts. (12-for-17 lifetime). The exacta (two favorites) paid $6.30, with the triple returning $13.40.

"We've tried to tinker with his equipment a bit to get his attention earlier in the race," Bartlett said. "I'm nor sure it accomplished what we thought it would.

"He was alright tonight. He's been better, and I expect him to be better."

Monday night's other Hamilton events, worth $68,350, $68,350 and $69,350, respectively, were won by...

--Art Two D Two,g (by Art Major); co-owners Pavia,Held,Rich,Dijo Racing/trainer Joe Pavia Jr./driver Brennan; 1:54.4/$3.80;

--Art Professor (by Art Major); co-owner David Scharf/Steve Elliott/Martha Frank/trainer Toni Rose/driver Brennan; 1:53.4/$2.50;

--(dead-heat) Hank's Kid,g (by Bettor's Delight); co-owners (trainer) Bill Popfinger and Henry Spierer/driver Bartlett; 1:54.3/$3.90 (DH) &

Capital Blue Chip (by Art Major); co-owners Stake Your Claim Stb 5 & Fred Wallace/trainer Toscano/driver Gregory; 1:54.3/$3.90 (DH).          

Monday's sire stakes events paid tribute to Bruce Hamilton, long-time Executive Secretary of Harness Horse Breeders of New York State who passed away in May, 2003, at the age of 55. Bruce had the misfortune of being one of the hardest-working people in the industry...and it was all his own fault for  possessing those unsightly character flaws of being so productive and so popular.

His family joined in for winner's circle presentations. (Yonkers)