Rich NYSS Milt Taylor Trot at Yonkers

New York Sire Stakes freshmen converged upon Westchester Thursday night, with Yonkers Raceway  graciously hosting the $238,137 Milt Taylor Trot for colts and geldings. Seven consecutive divisions went postward.

Favored Petruchino (Mike Lachance) began his parimutuel career with a track photographer meet-and-greet in the first ($33.591) division.

The son of Plesac, who inherited the lead when Lucid Thoughts (Jim Morrill Jr.) misbehaved in Turn 3, rolled to a 6 1/2-length victory over Tober  (Stephane Bouchard), with Super Manning (Wally Hennessey) third and a recovering Steubenmeanmachine (Jim Marohn Jr.) rounding out the gimmicks.

Petruchino, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Richard Balog, returned $4.60. The exacta paid $41.20, the triple returned $147.50 and the superfecta  paid $1,634.

People's preference Neal (Jason Bartlett) proved quite nimble in the second ($33,.591) division.

Despite being pushed wide down the backside the second time when leader Surface Tension (Dan Daley) was more than bit green, Neal forged forward.  He then engaged longshot Ridethewind-Chrys (Jeff Gregory) through the lane. The former appeared to be going by when the latter broke. Neal edged away to win  by a length-and-a-quarter in a debuting 2:00.4.  Forceful Action (Bouchard) was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third. 

Neal, a Credit Winner colt trained by Jim Campbell for owner Fashion Farms, returned $4.50. The exacta paid $33.80, with the triple returning $111.50.

Thursday night's other NYSS events, worth $34,191, $33,591, $34,191, $34,191 and $34,191, respectively, were won by....

--Quantum Cashman (by Cash Hall); co-owners Trevor Henry and Daniel McCann/trainer Mark Ford/driver Brandon Simpson; 2:03.3/$5.60;

--Rhythmic Blues (by Malabar Man); co-owers (trainer) Gates Brunet,Brunet,Gewertz,Crawford/driver Gates Brunet; 2:03.3/$7.60.

--Pay the Winner,g (by Credit Winner); co-owners (trainer/driver) Sam Schillaci,Howard Berke,Matthew Bencic; 2:01.3/$5.70;

--Tiger's Too Good (by Conway Hall); co-owners (trainer) Joe Holloway,Grant Jr.,Devisser,Devisser/driver Gregory; 2:05.2/$4.70;

--Double Up Hanover (by Credit Winner); co-owners Norman & Gerald Smiley,T L P Stable/trainer Larry Remmen/driver Morrill Jr.; 2:05.4/$3.70.

All were maiden-breaking parimutuel victories.
 
Yonkers Raceway's premier trotting classics, the 56th Yonkers Trot and its companion event, the Hudson Filly, are set for Saturday night. Purses are  $573,770 (Yonkers) and $299,050 (Hudson), and there's also the ever-popular T-shirt giveaway (while supplies last). (Yonkers)