Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host to a pair of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) divisions for 2-year-old fillies of each gait on Friday (July 31).
Jula Florence (Tyler Miller) was a gate-to-wire winner in the $52,500 first division for freshmen trotting fillies.
Jula Florence ($11.74) took the lead to the first quarter in :30.2. She used a :29.3 second quarter and was first to the half in 1:00. Seveallisto (Leon Bailey) came first-up heading down the backstretch. Jula Florence shook her off and led to three-quarters in 1:27.4.
Jula Florence put everyone away in the stretch, winning in a lifetime best 1:56.4. Secret Lover (Jason Bartlett) came up to get second money. Seveallisto had to settle for third.
Jula Florence is a filly by Chapter Seven-Jula Shes Magic trained by Jullie Miller for owners for owners Windsong Stable, Dumain Haven Farm, and Andy Miller Stable. It was her second career win.
Kountry Plunge (Johnathan Ahle) grabbed the $53,500 second division for freshmen trotting fillies.
Kountry Plunge ($3.96) was first to the quarter in ;28.3, first to the half in :59, and first to three-quarters in 1:27.2.
As they reached the stretch, second-place finisher HL Kapara (Jason Bartlett) went all-out after the lead but fell short as Kountry Plunge dug in and won in 1:55.3. Wavy Xavie (Jeff Gregory) finished third.
Kountry Plunge is a filly by Chapter Seven-Plunge Blue Chip. She is trained by Åke Svanstedt for owners Bender Sweden, Ecurie Diocles AB, OBM Stable, and Svanstedt & Midnight Sun. She is now two-for-two in her young career.
Cowboy Candy (Jason Bartlett) surged late to win the $53,500 first division for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Too Pink To Pass (Lauren Tritton) dashed to the first quarter in :26.3. Huntsville Honey (Matt Kakaley) then took her turn on the lead, leading to the half in :55 and to three-quarters in 1:23.
As they made the turn for home, Cowboy Candy ($5.68) made her move blowing right on by to win in a lifetime best 1:51.4. Clear Choice (Braxten Boyd) came up to finish second. Maxina (Johnathan Ahle) was third best.
Cowboy Candy is a filly by So Surreal-Caviart Elena. She is owned by chained Lightning Stables and trained by Aaron Lambert. It was her fourth win in five lifetime starts.
Big long shot Annie Q (Leon Bailey) went from last to first to capture the $54,500 second division for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Fendilicious (Jason Bartlett) controlled all the early fractions. She was first to the quarter in :27.4 and first to the half in :57. Real Choice (Lauren Tritton) was first to make a move going first-up down the backstretch. Fendilicious led three quarters in 1:25.3.
As they headed to the final turn, Annie Q ($91.70) was seventh. She came driving down the lane like a freight train, passing them all to get her first career victory in 1:55.3. Real Choice had to settle for second. Phast Phyllis (Braxten Boyd) finished third.
Annie Q is a filly by Huntsville-Rapunzel Blue Chip. She is owned by Bonnie Benson and trainer Andrew Stafford.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (Aug. 1) starting at 6:15 p.m.
For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.