Batavia, NY — The New York Sire Stakes visited Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 27) night with nine 2-year-old trotting fillies competing for a $112,100 purse and the heavily favored Sharp Seven (Chapter Seven-Lookin’ Sharp) cut to the chase for her victory in the featured event.
Jeff Gregory settled Sharp Seven in fourth as Storybook Love (Todd Ratchford) set early fractions of :28.4 and :59.2. As the race passed the stands, Gregory tipped Sharp Seven and incrementally made their way towards the leader, eventually drawing to within a length at three-quarters. Storybook Love maintained her advantage around the final turn but when they straightened for home, Sharp Seven found open ground in the middle of the race track and trotted home under a line drive to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:59.
On the strength of her third win of the year, Sharp Seven ($2.30) went over $200,000 lifetime, now showing $205,250 on her card for owner Purple Haze Stable and trainer George Ducharme.
There were also two $20,000 Excelsior Series races on the program.
The first was won by Makeittothebell (Chapter Seven-Alana’s Brilliance, 2:02 – $2.60) for driver Tyler Buter, trainer George Ducharme and owner FTM Racing Stable.
The second went to R Ro (Chapter Seven-Barn Girl, 2:02.2 – $14.00) for Tyler Buter, John Butenschoen and owner M And L De/Armitage Farm.
This was the final stop for preliminary legs of the NYSS at Batavia Downs. However the best of the best from all eight divisions will be back at The Downs on Saturday (Sept.6) for the $2.4 million Night of Champions finals.
In overnight action at Batavia, Brett Beckwith had the hot hands on the lines as he registered a grand slam during the night. He won with Rampo Ccl (1:56.4, $9.80), Samosa Hanover (1:58.2, $3.10), Ellas Reason A (1:57.1, $4.70) and Alwaysanun (1:57.4, $8.10). And trainers Brett Derue and Candace Brandstatter-Hall each scored two wins apiece.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 29) with post time at 6 p.m.
Free full card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at The Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab.