Yankee edges Vivid

Kentucky Futurity winner Strong Yankee took control of his Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot elim at the first quarter and held on for a head victory over Hambletonian champ Vivid Photo in 1:54.4.



Vivid Photo was about two lengths off the gate at the start and was settled fourth along the pylons by driver Roger Hammer. Strong Yankee, driven by Brian Sears, started from post four but was on the gate and sent for the front. Sears settled him second behind Self Professed before taking the lead just after the first quarter time of :29.2 was flashed.



Hammer was forced to make a first-over move with Vivid Photo before the :58.4 half and by the top of the homestretch they had pulled to within a half-length of Strong Yankee. Hammer never hit his horse in the stretch drive, but at the wire the margin between Strong Yankee and Vivid Photo was diminishing.



Strong Yankee, the 3-5 betting favorite, posted his seventh victory of the year in 17 starts. Vivid Photo, a 9-5 betting choice, now has 16 wins and four seconds in 22 starts.



Northern Ensign, Self Professed and Sir Perseverance also advanced from the elimination. New York Yank, who was making his first start since the Hambletonian elims, broke stride behind the gate.



The first elim for 3-year-old trotting colts went to Muscle Memory, who held off Smooth Muscles by a neck for a 1:56.1 score. Farmer Jones, a supplemental entry, was third.

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