The stakes were sizzling Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway.

The $500,000 Yonkers Trot for 3-year-olds was won by Gimpanzee in 1:53 3/5, while American Mercury captured the $500,000 Messenger for pacing 3-year-olds in 1:51 3/5.

Gimpanzee, trained by Marcus Melander and driven by Brian Sears, showed why he was the 1-5 favorite as he easily won the 65th edition of The Trot by 4 ¼ lengths over Hambletonian champion Forbidden Trade. Soul Strong finished third.

Gimpanzee returned $2.60 to win, giving Melander his first victory and Sears his fourth in the second jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown.

“I don’t think there’s a better 3-year-old on a half-mile track than he is, and I think he showed it tonight,” Melander said.

American Mercury (7-1) and driver Tyler Buter found room at the rail in deep stretch to score a head win over Bettor’s Wish — the overwhelming 1-9 favorite — in the 64th edition of the Messenger. U S Captain was third.

“He definitely came through tonight and showed everybody on the big stage what he can do,” Buter said.

Trained by Chris Oakes, American Mercury paid $16.20 for the victory, giving Oakes and Buter their first win in the second jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown.

Earlier, the $124,334 Hudson Trot for 3-year-old fillies was won by Golden Tricks and the $122,224 Lady Maud for 3-year-old pacing fillies was won by Trillions Hanover.