Nichols, NY — New York’s finest sophomore pacing fillies made their annual stop at Tioga Downs on Sunday (July 23) for a pair of $60,300 divisions of the New York Sires Stakes and the top two gals in the program as freshmen continued their dominance at three.

Twin B Joe Fresh coasted in through a :28.1 end to the 1:50.1 mile. Fred Brown photo.

Twin B Joe Fresh was last year’s champ and is two for two in the program for 2023 after overcoming the outside post in today’s race as the 1-10 favorite for driver Jason Bartlett.

Leaving for position, Bartlett settled his charge in fourth as Rock My Socks used rail position to park a rival through the :54.1 half, Bartlett’s cue to move over a lane to protect an eventual three-wide brush by the tiring leaders before the 1:22 three panels. The rest of the ride was easy as Twin B Joe Fresh coasted in through a :28.1 end to the 1:50.1 mile to hold the stalking Vivian’s Dream (Brian Sears) at bay.

Chris Ryder trains the winner, a Brittany Farms bred daughter of Roll With Joe, for his own interests along with partners Dexter Dunn, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak.

Jack Pelling drove the 2-5 favorite Earthwindfire like she was the best, protecting rail position early on then setting sensible fractions to win by a measured length in a career best 1:50.4. Sweet Home was a game first over to be second in this one for Sears.

The winner, second in last year’s final, is trained in the Brett Pelling barn for owners Mel Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable  and Tulip Racing. Stephen Dey III bred the American Ideal half-sister to world champion Cattle Wash and Breeders Crown winner Niki Hill.

Three $20,000 divisions of the NY Excelsior stakes supported the featured events with No Cigar Tony (Bartlett), High Fashion Star (Tyler Miller) and Celia B Money (Scott Zeron) scoring victories in those.

You will find the seasonal point standings for the NYSS and Excelsior series on the web.