Saratoga Springs, NY — Two-year-old pacing fillies took center stage on Wednesday evening (Aug. 21) at Saratoga Casino Hotel, as the New York Sire Stakes highlighted an action-packed 14-race card.

Merga Hanover (American Ideal-Magic Starlight) has emerged as the top freshman filly in NYSS action this summer, and the Ron Burke trainee did not disappoint in her $53,500 Sire Stakes division. Matt Kakaley sat behind the odds-on Merga Hanover, who cruised to a decisive 1:54 victory, the fastest time of the freshman fillies on the evening. Merga Hanover moved her record to five-for-six as she powered away from a strong group of rivals.

Galleria Gal was one of three New York Sire Stakes winners on Wednesday at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

The trend of favorites prevailing continued in the second Sire Stakes division, as John Berger’s Galleria Gal (Art Major-Just A Glimpse) made good as the public’s 4-5 choice. Galleria Gal opened up a big lead in the stretch before stopping the timer in 1:55 to register her second victory of the summer in stakes competition. Tyler Buter piloted the star freshman, who now has piled up earnings of more than $82,000 in her seven lifetime tries.

The final of the three stakes races on the night went to The Fun Marshall (So Surreal-Hallmark Hanover), who was one of her race’s three 2-1 shots. Scott Zeron drove the freshman for trainer Richie Silverman. It was the second win in six tries for The Fun Marshall, who came from off the pace to secure the score in the $52,500 stakes event.

Live racing resumes on Friday night (Aug. 23) at Saratoga, with a 7:05 p.m. first post.