by Jeff Rizzo, marketing intern, Batavia Downs

Batavia, NY — The $1 million stakes season will continue this Wednesday evening (August 11) at Batavia Downs with some of the finest New York bred Late Closing 3-year-old filly trotters. There are three divisions on the card: races two, four and nine. Each contest of the talented young fillies will have a purse in excess of $13,000.

The second race on the card is wide open. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is Study Hall by Conway Hall-Shipps Millenium and will be driven by Josh Marks. This filly sports a win and a place in Late Closer races at Monticello and Saratoga, respectively, after not faring well in New York Sire Stakes action earlier in the season. She is trained by Bob Bloodgood.

Also in contention for the second is Dream Speech (Dream Vacation-Lavabowl) with driver-trainer David Dziengiel at the lines. She is coming off a win at Monticello last week but will have to overcome the six hole to get her second consecutive Late Closer title of 2010.

The fourth race on the card has its share of NYSS veterans among the field. The morning line favorite at 5-2 is Distracting Beauty (Malabar Man-Overnight Rail) with driver-trainer Perry Simser. She has yet to finish in the money in a stakes race this season, but the class relief from four NYSS contests should allow this filly to shine.

Earning an impressive $27,104 this season is the 3-1 morning line second choice Jetties (Turbonater-Cumin Timber) with Jimmy Whittemore at the lines. This filly, trained by Andrew Byler, has competed in four NYSS races this season, with a wire-to-wire win at Goshen on July 4. She also finished in the money at Yonkers a week before, certainly having the most impressive record amongst the field of young trotters.

Perhaps the most contentious division of the evening will be the final, the ninth race on the card. There are many talented NYSS veterans and high money earners amongst the field.

On the rail is Josh Marks and Dream State (Dream Vacation-Dusty Girl), who in only eight starts this season has six wins and a place to her credit after trying the fair circuit. She also finished third at Yonkers in a NYSS contest on July 27 and is two for two in Late Closer races this season. David Dewhurst is the trainer.

Looking to overcome the seven hole will be My Winning Way K (Conway Hall-Sister’s Winner K) and Jimmy Whittemore. She is the leading money winner among the field of Late Closers on the card with $68,196 this year. Trainer Ray Van Dreason has tried this filly’s luck in five NYSS races thus far this season, finishing in the money at Saratoga and Yonkers and winning at Yonkers on June 26.

Rounding out the field from the far outside will be the Erv Miller trained Radiant One (Credit Winner-Marvelous Yankee) with Jack Flanigen at the lines. Despite her post, look for this filly to be right up there at the wire, as she has finished in the money in five NYSS contests this season, including a win at Buffalo on June 19, earning $38,842 this season.

Be sure to join us when harness racing goes ‘Back to the Track’ this Saturday, August 14, right here at Batavia Downs Casino. There will be a chance to win a trip for two to the 2010 Little Brown Jug, a $50,000 must-win national Pick 4, baseball caps to the first 500 racing fans that swipe their Players Club card beginning at 5 p.m. at Players Club, food and drink specials, a special handicapping contest for prizes, plus other special incentives offered on track. So grab a friend and come ‘Back to the Track’ this Saturday evening. For more information, visit www.BackToTheTrack.com.