Stretch The Line could be Yonkers bound after Landmark triumph

USTA/Ken Weingartner photos

 July 2, 2021, by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Goshen, NY — With one Grand Circuit win under his belt, Stretch The Line might get the chance to go for another in the upcoming MGM Springfield Stakes at Yonkers Raceway.

Stretch The Line won Friday’s $11,350 Landmark Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers at Goshen Historic Track, going gate-to-wire in 2:00.2 with Tyler Buter at the lines for trainer Erv Miller. It was Stretch The Line’s first win in his second start. He went off stride on June 23 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

A gelding by Huntsville out of Jessalilmixup, he was purchased for $16,000 at the Goshen Yearling Sale. In addition to going off stride in his first start, Stretch The Line made a break in his first qualifier on June 9. He returned a week later to win a qualifier in 1:55 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

“I think he’s a pretty nice colt,” Miller said. “Early on, I turned him out because I didn’t like him very much. I thought he was just so-so. I gave him six weeks off and he came back a different horse. He’s been good ever since, other than the mistakes he made.

“He was a little immature. Getting started the first time, like a 2-year-old, he got behind the gate and was a little too keyed up. We made some bridle changes, some hobble changes, and hopefully we’re off on our way.”

Miller now has the Springfield in his sights for Stretch The Line. Eliminations will be July 9 and the final is July 16.

“I think so,” Miller said about sending the horse to Yonkers next week. “That’s why I brought him here. I wanted to see how he was for that race.”

Historic Track hosted eight Landmark Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters.

The $9,900 Landmark for 3-year-old filly pacers was won by Let ‘Er Buck in 1:54.4 with Mark MacDonald driving for breeder-owner-trainer Ray Schnittker. The time was the fastest of the day.

A daughter of Betting Line out of Wild West Show, Let ‘Er Buck was victorious for the second time in eight starts this season and fifth time in 19 lifetime races. Let ‘Er Buck, a half-sister to Dan Patch Award winner Huntsville, has earned $123,822.

The $8,650 Landmark for 3-year-old filly trotters was won by Cantkeepmiasecret in 2:02.3 for owner-trainer-driver Angus MacDonald. By Conway Hall out of Art Of Deception, she won for the second time in 10 starts this season and fifth time in 17 career races. She has earned $19,575 lifetime.

Velvet Style won the $10,850 Landmark for 2-year-old male trotters in 2:00. Jason Bartlett drove the Credit Winner-Velvet’s Katie Bug colt for trainer Mark Ford and owners George and Rose Bonomo. He was bred by Stephen Dey III. Velvet Style has two wins in three races, earning $11,817.

The first $4,763 division of the Landmark for 2-year-old filly pacers was won by Shes A Bullville in 1:59.2 with Jim Devaux driving for breeder-owner Crevani Farms and trainer Stephen Crevani. The daughter of Bullville Powerful out of Not A Bullville won for the first time in three starts.

The second division went to Su Su Sussudio in 1:59 with Renaldo Morales III driving for trainer Randy Taft. The filly, by Third Straight out of Daughterofdarkness, was making her career debut for breeder-owner 4 Rose Stable.

Mullinax won the $10,575 first division of the Landmark for 3-year-old male pacers. He was clocked in 1:57.2 with Bartlett driving for trainer Ford. Mullinax, by American Ideal out of Up Front Kellie Jo, is owned by Bill Varney. He was bred by Ford and Ed Mullinax. Mullinax, last year’s New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series champion, won for the first time in 2021 and seventh time in 19 career races. He has earned $133,343.

The second division was won by Bare It Hill in 1:55.3 with Bartlett in the sulky for trainer James Minton, who owns the Racing Hill-McGrin N McBare It gelding with Heather Minton. Unraced at 2, Bare It Hill picked up his fourth win in nine starts. He has earned $27,079. He was bred by Larry Miller.

Racing continues Saturday with New York Excelsior Series events for 3-year-old pacers and a Billings Series trot for amateur drivers. On Sunday, the track hosts Excelsior Series races for 3-year-old trotters and the Hall of Fame Trot.

First post is 1 p.m. (EDT). Admission is $5, with children ages 12 and under free.