by Shelley Blake, for Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Tuesday night (August 7) featured seven divisions of the New York Sires Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

The girls lined up behind the gate in the first NYSS division, and it was a three way battle for the lead. But Fresco’s Winner retook before the half and soon found herself bracing for the challenge of first over Perfect Score and Jim Morrill, Jr. By the three-quarters, Perfect Score had snuck a head in front of Fresco’s Winner, a game opponent until the stretch, when Perfect Score opened up to win by two lengths in 2:01, a new lifetime mark for the Jessica Okusko trained filly. Seaway Sami Sue and Jay Randall followed the winner second-over to just beat out Fresco’s Winner at the wire.

In the second division, the fans sent Bether Always and Jeff Gregory off as the overwhelming 1-5 favorite. But both Bether Always and second choice Bag Of Wishes made breaks before the half, taking them out of contention. Happy Ticket and trainer-driver Jim Raymer led the girls past fractions of :28.2, :58.3, and 1:28.3 with a 2-1/2 length advantage at the three-quarters before trainer-driver Ray Schnittker tipped Epangeline at the top of the stretch. The duo surged easily past the pacesetters, winning by three lengths over Happy Ticket in 1:59.1. Diamonds For Julie finished third. Not only did Epangeline set a new lifetime mark, but the Peter Pan Stables filly also set a new track record for 2-year-old fillies, besting Tessel’s 2:00.2 mile set last year.

The public once again heavily backed one of the girls above all others in the third division, but this time would not be disappointed. Morning line and post time favorite Satin Pillows, with Brian Cross in the bike, romped over the field, leading from gate-to-wire without a single challenge. Trained by Richard Norman for owners Jeffrey Snyder and the Lothlorien Equestrian Center, Satin Pillows, with her 1:59.1 mile, equaled the new track record set by Epangeline in the previous division. Nirvana Blue Chip and Jim Raymer finished second while Melody Hall crossed the finish line third, but was disqualified for a euro-rail violation, placing fourth place finisher Raining Credit into third.

In division four, post time favorite Pose For Me and Jim Morrill, Jr. challenged RC Biscuit and Dan Daley for the lead, with Pose For Me winning the battle, and eventually the race, as the Charles Connor, Jr. trained filly held on to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:00.1. American Pride and Jeff Bolyard finished second while Credit Victory got up for third.

Tierra sparkled in her division for trainer-driver John Stark, Jr., winning by 6-1/2 lengths over longshot Fancy Wine in 2:02.4. I Enjoy Beingagirl was third. The heavy favorites, Twin Winner and Jeff Gregory, made a break before the start.

In the sixth division, morning line favorite Star Gazer was scratched, leaving post time favorite Lakin Beau Bakin to carry the burden. But the Phillip Fluet trained filly was up for the challenge as Jim Morrill, Jr. steered her to a gate-to-wire win in 2:01.4. Lakin Beau Bakin trotted her final quarter in :29.2 to secure the win by 1-1/4 lengths over Winbak Dream and Jeff Gregory. Susan XYZ was third.

The final division saw It’s Coast Time and Jeff Gregory come first over from the back of the pack to overtake pacesetter Makeherownway, who raced with broken equipment from the half, by a head at the wire in 2:00.1. Post time favorite Parcc Side and trainer-driver John Stark, Jr. charged home in a snappy :28.4, but came up a length short of the top two.

Racing resumes at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Wednesday, August 8. Post time is 7:00 p.m.