Sires Stakes Finalists Continue Journey to Breeders Crown

By Frank and Ray Cotolo 
(BC) denotes Breeders Crown eligible 

Sires stakes finalists continue journey to Breeders Crown 

The Meadows and Yonkers Raceway hosted the finals for the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) and New York Sires Stakes (NYSS), respectively, the weekend of Sept. 11, with the four freshman divisions competing at the Meadows and the four sophomore divisions at Yonkers. 

Frosh-filly pacer Pure Country (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) nabbed the first $350,000 PASS final in a near wire-to-wire performance of 1:51 as the 1-2 favorite over Call Me Queen Be (BC-Somebeachsomewhere) and I Said Diamonds. The Jimmy Takter-trained filly paid $3.00 to win. 

Takter trainee Lagerfeld (BC-Yankee Glide) capitalized off the break of pacesetter Love Matters (BC-Explosive Matter) and second-choice Milligan’s School (BC-Yankee Glide) to upset in the $350,000 PASS final for two-year-old colt trotters. He paid $24.40 to win. 

Ideal Jimmy claimed the $350,000 PASS two-year-old colt pace in 1:51 over 8-5 favorite Spider Man Hanover (BC-Western Ideal) and Manhattan Beach (BC-Somebeachsomewhere). Ideal Jimmy returned $8.20 to win. 

Favored at 1-5, frosh-filly-trotting phenomenon Broadway Donna (BC-Donato Hanover) easily won the $350,000 PASS final over Kathy Parker (BC-Andover Hall) and Womans Will (BC-Donato Hanover. She paid $2.80 to win. In the NYSS, contested on Saturday, Sept. 12, filly trotter Jewels In Hock, colt trotter Habitat (BC-Conway Hall), and colt pacer Betting Exchange (BC-Bettor’s Delight) were all victorious, claiming their respective $225,000 finals and paying $6.20, $2.70, and $3.70 respectively.