NYSS double for the Ackermans

It was a night of firsts Thursday with Yonkers Raceway hosting its first New York Sire Stakes event of the season with five divisions of the $192,712 Milt Taylor Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the card, with Hall of Fame trainer Doug Ackerman recording a double.

Team Ackerman, always well-represented in statebred events, overcame the high price of gas to and from Michigan. With Doug as trainer and son D.R. taking his customary seat, a pair of plebes were ready at first asking.

Wind Gust never had an anxious moment from post position three in the first $38,822 division. He enjoyed an open-length lead en route  to a 2 1/2-length victory in 2:03.4. The Credit Winner gelding, owned by Kindergarten Stud, returned $15.60. Hitontheflipside (Kevin Cummings) chased from a loose pocket as the 11-10 favorite, with RC Authority (Dan Daley) a best-of-the-rest third,.

The Ackermans completed their own personal double when Judge Joe ($2.90) won the third ($38,122) division. The son of Credit Winner, owned by the Ackermans, took all the late--and well-deserved--money before strolling by Grand Way (John Stark Jr.) in upper stretch. That rival eventually jumped and Judge Joe found the wire 3 1/2 lengths before R Little E (Bill Bailey). Jack to a King (Henry Westbrook III) was third.

The night's fastest foray was the second ($38,122) event, where Donttellmywife (Jeff Gregory) sat off a a speed duel and won going away. The Malabar Man gelding won his purse debut in 2:01.4, defeating a long-mile Calchip's Brute (Jim Morrill Jr.) by 2 1/4 lengths. Spin Spanky Spin (Daley) was a non-threatening third. Affirmed Action (Jason Bartlett), part of that early scrum, tired and broke as the 13-10 choice.

The winner, co-owned by (trainer) George Ducharme, Nicole Oliva and Harrah Chester's Shannon DiAntonio, returned $6.30.     

Thursday night's other two NYSS divisions, each worth $38,822, went to Coal Daily (by Conway Hall); owner/trainer/driver Toby Lynch; 2:04.4/$104;and Bailey Banks (by Conway Hall); co-owners Arlene and Jules Siegel/trainer Jim Campbell/driver Bartlett; 2:04.4/$5.60. (Yonkers)

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