New Jersey Classic elims

May 26, 2007

Yankee Skyscaper and Kinetic Yankee gave their owners double the reason to smile as they won their eliminations for the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Though they reside in different barns, the duo shares in common ownership by Brittany Farms, John Fodera, Martha Frank and Fred Mansoor.

The top five finishers in each of the evening's elimination races advanced to the $500,000 final on Saturday, June 2. The New Jersey Classic is the richest event in harness racing restricted to state-bred racehorses.

In the first elim, race two, Yankee Skyscaper [$7.40, $3.60, $2.60] fired off a second-over trip and closed fastest of all to nail Fresh Deck [$3.20, $2.60] by a head in 1:50.3. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to Watta Hotshot [$5.00] in third. Also advancing to the final were Art At Heart [fourth] and Red Hot Yankee [fifth].

Driven by George Brennan, Yankee Skyscaper picked up his first win in two starts this season. Yankee Skyscaper was the leading money-winner in his freshman class with $545,000 earned in 2006. He counted the $900,000 million Metro among his four victories for trainer Chris Ryder. Myron Bell, an agent for Brittany Farms, also owns a share of Yankee Skyscaper under his own nom de course, Riverview Farms.

"Last week he had a good trip, but came up a little flat," Brennan said, "but it was the first start and I didn't really think much of it. Tonight, we decided to stick with the same plan, try to get him pacing at the end and that is just what he did. We got lucky enough, got a great trip and he responded."

In a four-horse charge to the wire, Kinetic Yankee [$5.80, $3.00, $2.60] nosed out Always A Virgin [$3.00, $2.40] for the win in the second elim, race three. Radio City [$3.00] was another nose behind in third, while Artriverderci was a head back in fourth. Fifth-place finisher Artist's View also advanced to next week's final.

Trained by Erv Miller and driven by his younger brother, Andy, Kinetic Yankee paced a career best 1:51 mile. The son of Western Ideal is now three-for-three this season.

"It is a great feeling to be here for both ends of this entry," said co-owner John Fodera. "We feel very good about it. Erv has done a terrific job with this horse and Chris Ryder, an equally good job with the other horse. I owe a lot to Myron Bell [of Brittany Farms]. He is the one who brought me in with these babies. He is the one who picked them both. It is Myron Bell's night just as much as mine."

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