by Michael Costanzo, simulcast manager, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — After finishing second in the $718,370 Fan Hanover final at Mohawk in her last start, Artimittateslife staked her claim as a top contender in this year’s New York Sire Stakes 3-year-old filly pacing division on Sunday, June 22, taking her $37,459 split at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 1:53.4.

Dave Oxford photo

Artimittateslife captured her division of the New York Sire Stakes in 1:53.4.

Driven from post two by Stephane Bouchard, Artimittateslife ($2.10) seized control of the race the moment the gate swung open, pacing confidently on the lead through fractions of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.4. The Edward Hart trainee entered the stretch with a 1-1/2 length lead and was never presented with a challenge down the lane, holding her overmatched rivals at bay to score by two lengths at the wire.

Owned by Robert Young, Paul Gazzola, and Brian Barton, Artimittateslife is a three-time winner in 2008, with seasonal earnings of $243,571 and a lifetime bankroll in excess of $340,000.

The victory by Artimittateslife was the second on the card for Bouchard, who captured his first Sire Stakes event of the afternoon one race earlier when guiding JK Majorette ($3.20) through the wire first for 3 Brothers Stables and trainer Linda Toscano.

The daughter of Art Major led at every call, cutting fractions of :27.4, :57 and 1:25.4 before holding on gamely down the lane to prevail by a neck and tally her second Sire Stakes victory of the year.

Away We Go ($5.00) paced the fastest Sire Stakes mile of the afternoon, stopping the timer in 1:53.3 to score by four lengths for MGM Stable, Kevin Ciarpelli and trainer Dan Altman. Greg Grismore provided the winning drive.

Driver Jim Morrill, Jr. piloted three winners on the Sunday Sire Stakes program, none more impressive than Hannah Isabel ($3.00), who extended her winning streak to four when taking her Sire Stakes division in 1:54 for Marilyn and Heiman Gross and trainer Jean Drolet.

Hannah Isabel settled briefly in the pocket through an opening quarter in :27.2 before clearing the front with one powerful move, taking the field through middle fractions of :56 and 1:25.1 before coming home in :28.4 to prevail by five lengths.

The victory was the second Sire Stakes triumph of the year for the daughter of Bettor’s Delight.

Earlier in the afternoon, Morrill tallied his first Sire Stakes win of the day when guiding Purple Haze Stables LLC’s Delightful Diva ($3.30) through the wire first in 1:56.2 for conditioner Jessica Okusko.

Morrill would return to the winner’s circle three races later after leading every step of the way with Ladycino ($3.10), who posted a 1:55.3 Sire Stakes victory for M & L of Delaware Inc. and trainer Larry Rathbone.

Kamanda’s Jem ($32.00) sprung the lone Sire Stakes upset on the program, capturing the final division of the afternoon in 1:55.3 for Howard Berke, Arthur Berke, James Speiser and Krystyna Winn. Sam Schillaci provided the winning drive behind the Jodi Schillaci-trained daughter of Space Shuttle.

Offspring of Bettor’s Delight prevailed three times on the Sire Stakes program, with progeny of Art Major prevailing twice. Dream Away and Space Shuttle each sired one winner on the card.