by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — There were ten divisions of the New York Sire Stakes Late Closers at Saratoga Casino and Raceway on Thursday night (September 1). Six divisions for 2-year-old trotters and four fields of freshman pacers served as co-features on the 15-race program. With each division going for purses of more than $12,000, the competition for the young New York breds was fierce.

Dave Oxford photo

Moonglow was a winner in 2:00.2.

Frank Antonacci’s Moonglow (Credit Winner-Glow) was the fastest winner among the trotting fillies on the evening as she built an imposing lead in the first lap and sprinted away to win by 14-1/2 lengths. The win was the first in the career of the filly who established a lifetime mark of 2:00.2.

Silica (Cash Hall-Sienna, Stephane Bouchard) came up just shy of the time set by Moon Glow as she stopped the clock in 2:00.3 in her victory.

The other Thursday winners in the NY Sire Stakes Late Closers on the trot were Lady Lois (Conway Hall-Shan Riches, Dan Daley, 2:01.3), Debt Relief (Malabar Man-Senorita Victoria, Dan Cappello, Jr., 2:04), J’omama (Cash Hall-J’onetta, Dan Cappello, Jr., 2:01.4) and dead heat winners Up Front Perry (Credit Winner-Musclelini, Perry Simser) and Steuben Lone Pine (Sand Vic-Pine For, David Fisher) in 2:03.4.

The 2-year-old pacing divisions for colts and geldings were won by My Buddy Mason (Riverboat King-Three Maidens, Jimmy Whittemore), who upset at 16-1 in 1:57, Connery Blue Chip (Art Major-Ascending, Billy Dobson, 1:57.2), Winbak Shake (Dream Away-Shake Rattle Run, John Stark, Jr., 1:58.3) and Waywatcher (Artiscape-Only Way To Go, Brandon Simpson, 1:58.1).

Late Closer competition continues on Friday night at Saratoga with four divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers. First post time is set for 7:20 p.m.