by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Fred Brown Photography

Michelle’s Way won opening division of New York Sire Stakes for freshmen trotting fillies on Friday night at Tioga Downs.

Michelle’s Way and Jim Morrill Jr. scored in New York Sire Stakes for freshmen trotting fillies on Friday night at Tioga Downs. The 2-year-old daughter of Conway Hall out of the King Conch mare Miss Michelle was a $95,000 yearling purchase for Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky. Morrill tipped Michelle’s Way off cover around the last turn and trotted home right on by RC Curiosity and Mike Simons in the final strides. It was the second start of the year for the filly trotter and she established a lifetime mark of 2:00.2 with the victory.

Beachcomber and Jan Johnson stayed perfect in two lifetime starts in the second division of the NYSS for trotting fillies. The duo crossed the wire in 2:00.2 to establish a new lifetime mark in her young career. The 2-year-old daughter of Conway Hall out of the Enjoy Lavec mare Enjoy The Sun was a homebred by the Arden Homestead Stable and Adelaide Skoglund, who still own her in partnership. Stephane Bouchard and Allie Jae finished second, while Princess Robyn and Kyle Di Benedetto were third.

Biggest Big Bertha continued her winning ways, equaling the track record for aged pacing mares in the process. Todd Ratchford used the usual tactic of charging to the front and seating the field past the quarter in 27. Ratchford continued to roll the 7-year-old Little Steven mare through fractions of 56.2 and 1:24.1 before sprinting away from the rest of the ladies in 28, to stop the timer in 1:52.1. Double Dream N and William Parker Jr. had the pocket trip, but could do no better than second, while Nonuknlady and Bruce Aldrich Jr. got up for third. It was the ninth win in twenty starts for Biggest Big Bertha who is trained by Patty Harris for Marilee Keene of Elk Grove, California.

Fred Brown Photography

Beachcomber and Jan Johnson stayed perfect in two lifetime starts in the second division of the NYSS for trotting fillies.

Jim Morrill Jr. posted a driving triple on the night’s eleven race card, while Stephane Bouchard made two trips to the Tioga winner’s circle.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action from Nichols, New York on Saturday, July 26th with a post time of 6:50 p.m., featuring 2-year old colt & gelding trotters in New York Sire Stake action. Be sure you don’t miss the 2008 Second Annual Driver’s Championship on Sunday, July 27th with a post time of 1:15 p.m. Drivers in the championship include Tim Tetrick, Brian Sears, Anthony Morgan, Eric Goodell, Yannick Gingras, Andy Miller, Ron Pierce, Howard Parker, and Jody Jamieson.