by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Monticello, NY — A special 5:00 p.m. twilight post at Monticello Raceway set the stage for three divisions of the $121,656 New York Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday, September 4, and the final chance to gather points for the $150,000 final on the Night of Champions.

Creditability was a 1:59.2 winner on Sunday.

Creditability, who has led her peers all season, cemented her rank as number one when she scored her fourth victory in a Sires Stakes division and remained atop the point standings.

Trainer Ray Schnittker sent the Credit Winner filly out for the early lead from post five and was never challenged on the way to the 1:59.2 win by two and a half lengths. Owner Steve Jones and family were on hand for the winner’s circle presentation.

During the season, Creditability set track records during her Sires Stake stops at Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs and won New York State Fair divisions at Syracuse and Goshen. She now has eight wins in 11 starts and earnings of $133,096 this year and $177,234 for her career.

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Twin B Senorita crosses the finish line on top.

Twin B Senorita won her division in 1:59.2 after cutting the mile and opening up a safe nine and a half lengths at the three-quarters to secure a Schnittker Stable entry in the final. This Credit Winner filly is leased by Blue Chip Partners, James Burke and John Hamilton.

Fancy’s Hit, who has been hitting the board in New York Sires Stakes events but missing the big payday, final earned her way into the winner’s circle with a 2:00.1 off-the-pace score with driver Rod LaFramboise.

“She really deserved that win. Her owners, these are the greatest people,” said LaFramboise, referring to Glen and Diane Mason, who also train the daughter of Giant Hit.

The victory was exactly what Fancy’s Hit needed to move off the bubble and into the top eight among point earners for a spot in the final.

The final point standings of the top eight fillies who have secured a place in the Night of Champions Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly final at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Saturday, September 17, are:

Horse (Sire)–Points–Starts

1. Creditability (Credit Winner)–200–5

2. Whitesand Samantha (Credit Winner)–162–5

3. Twin B Senorita (Credit Winner)–155–4

4. College Credit (Credit Winner)–145–5

5. Off The Wall (Giant Hit)–138–5

6. Black Chip Winner (Credit Winner)–108–5

7. Fancy’s Hit (Giant Hit)–92–5

8. Ginger Girl (Eighteen Karat)–87–5

The Big Cat is perfect in Sires Stakes

Earlier in the week, The Big Cat sailed through the New York Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts with a perfect record by virtue of his victory in the fifth and final preliminary leg on Saturday, September 3, at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

He scored in 1:59.2 from off the pace with regular driver Howard Okusko, Jr. The Lion King colt is owned by Gunther Unflat and trained by Howard Okusko, Sr.

Last year’s two-year-old champion, Maximum Return, had a rocky start to his season, finishing fourth in the first two legs, but hit his stride to streak through the final three legs and into the top three point-getters this year. The Credit Winner colt won his division on Saturday with a mile-cutting 1:58.1 with trainer Ivan Davies in the bike. This Credit Winner colt is owned by Paul Kinnear and Doug Hutchins.

Winning the third division on Saturday was Hewitt Blue Chip, who cut out a 1:59 victory, his third in NYSS action this season. Trainer-driver Ray Schnittker owns the Credit Winner colt with Herb Burns and Steve Demeter.

The last round of Sires Stakes action for the colts only reshuffled the leaders and allowed no new horses into the coveted top eight spots. The colts that have earned their way to the Night of Champions are:

Horse (Sire)–Points–Starts

1. The Big Cat (Lion King)–250–5

2. Hewitt Blue Chip (Sir Taurus)–200–5

3. Maximum Return (Credit Winner)–166–5

4. Carie’s Credit (Credit Winner)–145–5

5. Cromwell (Credit Winner)–117–5

6. Farmer Jones (Credit Winner)–112–3
Getthemoney (Credit Winner)–112–5
Victory Speech (Sir Taurus)–112–5