No elims for Yonkers' stakes

Eight sophomore male trotters, including supplemental entry Glidemaster in his quest to complete the Triple Crown, have been entered in the $728,000 Yonkers Trot, while six pacers will line up behind the gate in the $546,830 Messenger Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. No eliminations are needed for either contest, with the two finals going postward Saturday, Nov. 25.

Glidemaster’s connections paid the $60,000 supplemental entry fee to start in the 52nd Yonkers Trot, with the son of Yankee Glide already two-thirds of the way toward the Triple Crown having won the Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity. Glidemaster is also within $160,000 of setting an all-time single-season mark for earnings by a trotter. He’ll only need a first or second-place finish to earn that distinction.

Also entered in the Yonkers Trot, which will have post positions drawn Wednesday, Nov. 22, are (in alphabetical order): Algiers Hall, Bob Heyden, Here Comes Herbie, Ira K, Limbo Glide, Naughty Nu Nu and RC Royalty.

Should Glidemaster win the Yonkers Trot, he would become the eighth winner of the Trotting Triple Crown, joining two-time Harness Horse of the Year Scott Frost (1955), Horse of the Year Speedy Scot (1963), Ayres (1964), three-time Horse of the Year Nevele Pride (1968), Lindy’s Pride (1969), Super Bowl (1972) and Windsong’s Legacy (2004).

The Messenger Stakes attracted a short field of a half dozen, with Breeders Crown winner Shark Gesture appearing arguably the favorite. The son of Cam’s Card Shark has eight wins and two seconds and $634,320 in earnings this year.

The remaining five in the Messenger are (in alphabetical order): Jake Of Diamonds, Livestrong, Palone Ranger, Perfect Union and Winslow Gambler.

This will be the first year the Messenger has been raced at Yonkers since Matt’s Scooter won the 1988 renewal. Actually, this will be only the second time the third jewel of pacing’s Triple Crown has ever been held at Yonkers; the race was inaugurated at Roosevelt Raceway in 1956 and raced there through 1987, and following the 1988 contest at Yonkers it then was contested at Freestate Raceway, Rosecroft Raceway and The Meadows.

Post positions for the $291,456 Lady Maud will also be held Nov. 22 as part of the regular draw. The Hudson Filly Trot for 3 year olds, with 11 entered, will have eliminations this Saturday night with the $330,476 final the following weekend.

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