Iteration captures New York New York Mile

Photos by by Darragh Riordan

Iteration, with driver Brian Sears, kept her footing throughout over a sloppy surface on Friday night to capture the $150,000 New York New York Mile for sophomore filly trotters at Yonkers Raceway. The 3-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven kept it in the family, so to speak, capturing the filly companion to the MGM Yonkers Trot, a race won by her older brother Gimpanzee in 2019.

Sent off as the 3-5 public choice, Iteration, leaving from post two, got some help in the early stages, as Presto, to her inside, broke before the outset. Once the gate sprung Sears had Iteration away smoothly, but Sweeping Rainbow, Contested Hanover, and 4-1 shot Mazzarati all left the gate with purpose. While Sweeping Rainbow and David Miller were able to work into the pocket, Contested Hanover, with Scott Zeron, miscued into the turn. Tim Tetrick, aboard Mazzarati, tried to make it three-deep through the first turn, but his filly also lost her gait late on the bend and dropped out of it.

Sears had Iteration in control through a 28.4 opening quarter, but with many of the top contenders out of the picture, strolled to the half in 59 seconds, giving the Marcus Melander-trained filly all the breather she would need for the mile. Iteration cut three quarters in 1:28 and was in control into the stretch, with Sweeping Rainbow taking a brief shot at her but falling a length short in the 1:56.4 mile. Rebel Girl followed the top pair around the track in third and took the show dough, while the winner's stablemate Imhatra Am S held on to fourth after a mild uncovered bid.

"It was pretty windy out there," said Sears after the victory. "The field made breaks, and it worked out good."

Owned by Courant Inc., Iteration returned $3.20, $2.20, and $2.10 across the board. Sweeping Rainbow paid $4.20 and $3.10 for the second and third spots, with Rebel Girl's backers getting $4.70 to show. The exacta returned $9.90, with the triple a more generous $72.00.

Iteration is now undefeated in three sophomore starts, all stakes victories.