Downbytheseaside in narrow Messenger win; ‘Maude’ crown to World Apart; ‘Moni’ Simcoe score

By Frank and Ray Cotolo

(BC) denotes Breeders Crown eligible

Breeders Crown hopefuls were in action at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday, Sept. 2, including in the $500,000 Messenger Pace, $113,880 Lady Maud and and Mohawk offered the Grand Circuit’s $165,838 Simcoe Three-Year-Old Trot.

In a near wire-to-wire performance, Downbytheseaside (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) held off a late bid from Art Scene (BC-American Ideal) to win the Messenger in 1:52.1 by a nose as the 1-9 favorite.

Owned by Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, and Diamond Creek Racing, trained by Brian Brown, and driven by Brian Sears, he paid $2.10 to win.

World Apart sat the pocket and pounced on pacesetter and 2-5 favorite Angel’s Pride to win the Lady Maud in 1:54.

Robin J was 4 lengths back in third and Awash (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) another 4 lengths back fourth.

Owned by South Mountain Stables, The Bay’s Stable LLC, Little E LLC, and Radio Racing Stable, trained by Linda Toscano, and driven by Jason Bartlett, World Apart paid $14.80 to win.

Sent off the 3-5 favorite, International Moni advanced first over and battled off race-leader R First Class to win the Simcoe Three-Year-Old Trot in 1:53.3.

 Magic Night finished third and Dunbar Hall (BC-Deweycheatumnhowe) weaving into contention fourth.

Owned by Moni Maker Stable, trained by Frank Antonacci, and driven by Scott Zeron, Internationl Moni paid $3.20 to win.