by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Three divisions of New York Sire Stakes races for 3-year-old filly trotters highlight Wednesday’s (June 20) races at Buffalo Raceway. First post is scheduled for 5 p.m. (EDT).

In the $49,004 first division, Miss Connor (Cash Hall-Emerald Seelster) is the morning line favorite at 5-2 and will be driven by Jim Morrill, Jr. Miss Connor, who did not race as a 2-year-old, has two wins and a third in four lifetime races. Her best showing was a win at Tioga in 1:58.2, where she left from post eight, shot right to the lead and held on by a head at the finish.

Another logical contender is Miss Fidget (Conway Hall-So Wonderful), trained and driven by Ed Lohmeyer. Although with just one uneventful start this year, Miss Fidget won four of nine races last year and earned $75,543. Leaving from post one in the field of eight will definitely help, as long as she minds her manners. She did win a $49,922 Sire Stakes race at Yonkers last year.

In the $48,104 second division, Anandamide (Credit Winner-Psychotherapist) looks to make it four wins this year with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky. The 2-1 morning line favorite is leaving from post four and is trained by Anette Lorentzon. Anandamide came in third in the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon in 1:54.2. Before that, she had two wins, one of which was a Sire Stakes victory at Saratoga in 1:57.

The top lifetime money earner ($186,341) in the field is Lima Playmate (Credit Winner-Pacific Legacy), trained and driven by Ray Schnittker. Last year Lima Playmate won nine times in 13 attempts with a gaudy $156,680 in the bank. She won many Sire Stakes races last year, but unfortunately drew post seven here on Wednesday.

The $48,104 third division, race six, finds Starglow Hall (Conway Hall-Smilin Matty) as the one to beat with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky, leaving from the pylons in the field of seven. Trained by veteran Chris Ryder, Starglow Hall has a win, a second, and a third in six races this year, with a 1:58.2 mark at Saratoga in the Excelsior Series.

An interesting horse is number five, Fortunista (Credit Winner-Meadowbranch Mary), who does not have a lifetime win in 17 starts, but finished second to For A Dancer in the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon in 1:54.2. Fortunista will be handled by local star Dan Noble and is trained by Gilbert Garcia-Herrera.

Also on tap are six Excelsior Stake races worth $12,700 each.