by Sam Pendolino, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Palm Beach Chick and Barn Babe, both owned by local connections, won the first two New York Sire Stakes races, each worth $35,146, at Buffalo Raceway on Sunday afternoon (June 16) over a sloppy track.

The four Sire Stakes races were for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Paul White photo

Palm Beach Chic was a 2:01.3 winner.

In the first division, Palm Beach Chic (Conway Hall-Back On Track) left sharply from post seven and with regular driver Jeff Gregory in the sulky, collared second place finisher Amor Deo (Trond Smedshammer) just past the quarter pole en route to 3-1/2 length victory in 2:01.3.

It was the fourth lifetime win in 14 attempts for Palm Beach Chic ($26.00), who is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Jeff Gregory and Buffalo Raceway president Bill Richardson.

“I was just hoping to get around the turns OK,” said Gregory. “I really didn’t have to worry, because she was just perfect the whole mile.”

Barn Babe’s victory was much closer, just a nose, over second place finisher Proclaiming April (Trond Smedshammer) in 2:00.3. Barn Babe ($3.70), driven by John Cummings, Jr., cut all the fractions in the race, :31.1, 1:00.4 and 1:31.2.

“When Morrill’s horse (Hall La La) broke, it kind of set up perfect for me,” said Cummings. “I was a little worried about the three horse (Proclaiming April) on my back, but my filly really dug in.”

Steven Pratt owns and trains Barn Babe (Cash Hall-My Baby’s Momma) with Nancy Pratt. It was Barn Babe’s eighth lifetime win and this win puts her lifetime earnings at $170,341.

The other two Sire Stakes winners were Wygant Lady (Credit Winner-Rose Street Angel) in 2:00.2 with Cat Manzi at the controls and Lola De Vie (Credit Winner-Fan Favourite) in 2:02.2 with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the bike.

Jim Morrill, Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the card.