Richie Moloney prevented a home whitewash when claiming second place on Ypaja Yando in this evening’s $40,000 Sovaro Speed Stake at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in New York.

The Irish rider went in chase of early leader Leslie Howard who came home clear in 62.89 on Donna Speciale. Agonizingly for Moloney he fell short by just 0.08 of a second, but held on to the runner-up position as none of the remainder of the field came close to the leading two. Another American, Charlie Jacobs, took third on Quality Time In, almost three seconds behind Moloney.

Beezie Madden (Coach) and Molly Ashe (Cassandra) took fourth and fifth respectively. Indeed but for Moloney it would have been a complete home whitewash of the top ten places.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam put in a speedy late bid on Main Road but four faults kept him just outside the top ten.  Mike Dunne