by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga

Saratoga Springs, NY — The favorites had their way in the New York Sire Stakes on Wednesday night (Aug. 24) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Freshman trotting fillies took center stage on the card as three divisions of the $53,500 stakes were featured.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Barn Bella was the evening’s fastest freshman filly as she scored a convincing 11 length victory in 1:58.1 for Jeff Gregory.

Barn Bella (Conway Hall-Bravissima) was the evening’s fastest freshman filly as she scored a convincing 11 length victory in 1:58.1 for Jeff Gregory. The Steven Pratt-trained Barn Bella was her race’s 1-9 betting favorite as she dominated her competition en route to her fourth win of the season and third in a row in Sire Stakes action.

Sam Schillaci’s Mamora Bay (Chapter Seven-Giulie Bi) had little difficulty scoring in her division of the NYSS on Wednesday as she trotted to a decisive 8-1/4 length victory in 1:58.2, highlighted by a final half of :57.4. Schillaci trains and drives the filly who was the 1-9 betting favorite as she cruised to a first over victory, a win that was her fourth in six career starts as a freshman.

The final division of the $53,500 Sire Stakes wasn’t won by the favorite but rather the public’s 2-1 second choice in the wagering as Amber Ella (Chapter Seven-Blushed) came on late to record her second straight win in NYSS competition. Hall of Famer John Campbell piloted Amber Ella for trainer Linda Toscano as the freshman filly took advantage of a break by the race’s big favorite, Mighty Surf, and trotted past the rest in the stretch to stop the timer in 1:59.4.

Live racing continues on Thursday night at Saratoga with a first post time set for 7:05 p.m.