by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers are in the spotlight on Saturday night (July 11) at Buffalo Raceway.

The action starts early for the hometown crowd as local favorite It’s Only Roni, a Noble Ability-Theoneandonlyvroni offspring, goes postward in the $33,172 first division.

Trained by Joe Robbins, Jr. and driven by Jack Flanigen, It’s Only Roni has a win and a second in two pari-mutuel races here at the Raceway. She won all four baby races she competed in this year, and her 2:00.4 clocking in her last race signals she’s a definite contender.

Her main competition should come from the Stake Your Claim Stable’s Galimony, driven by Matt Kakaley and trained by Linda Toscano. The Artiscape-Ideal Gal filly won last week at Goshen in 1:59.1.

In the second division, carded as race seven, Lady Major, an Art Major-Eastern Lady offspring, takes on seven rivals for the $33,772 purse. Trained by Sam Serianni, Lady Major shows a nice second at Saratoga in 1:58.1, coming home the last quarter-mile in :29.1 in her only pari-mutuel start. She has post three and is the morning line favorite at 3-1.

Ray Schnittker’s She’s A Screamer also looks to have a good chance, drawing the rail in her second lifetime start. She’s A Screamer finished second at Goshen in 2:01.4.

The third division, race ten, is really up for grabs as the two morning line favorites, Truly A Treasure at 3-1 from post eight, and Barks Like A Dog, 7-2 from post six, must overcome these outside posts.

Ken Jacobs’ Truly A Treasure, an Art Major-Private Treasure filly trained by Linda Toscano, won her only lifetime start at Goshen in 2:01.2. The filly also shows two nice baby races at the Meadowlands in 1:56.2 and 1:56.3, respectively.

Ray Schnittker’s Bark Like A Dog, by Bettor’s Delight-Poodle Party, who finished second to Galimony by a neck in 1:59.1 at Goshen, appears the main danger.

In the last Sire Stake race (race 11), undefeated Shaky Hanover leaves from post three with reinsman Jimmy Marohn, Jr. at the controls for trainer Jim Perry. Owned by William J. Heinz, the Bettor’s Delight-Shaky Past filly has been preparing at Tioga, where her best clocking is 1:56.3.

Her main competition appears to be Doug Ackerman’s Love And Honor, an Art Major-Time Power filly that has won two baby races at Hazel Park with a 1:59.4 clocking.

The 13-race card starts at 6:30 p.m. (eastern).