Saratoga Springs, NY — With the New York Sire Stakes season having kicked off this week, a couple of 3-year-old trotting fillies who competed in stakes competition last season and may be prepping to do the same in 2019 prevailed at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Wednesday afternoon (May 8).

RC’s Lady Royale was the public’s 1-5 betting favorite as she went coast-to-coast on Wednesday with Jay Randall in tow. Melissa Simser-Iovino photo.

Trainer Bob Gale is based out of central New York but often competes at Saratoga and on Wednesday, his RC’s Lady Royale (RC Royalty) drew the rail for her try in a $7,500 trotting event for New York sired high-steppers. Having finished a fast second on Sunday afternoon at the Spa, RC’s Lady Royale was the public’s 1-5 betting favorite as she went coast-to-coast on Wednesday with Jay Randall in tow.

The filly, who earned more than $15,000 as a freshman in ’18 and has come back strong to begin her ’19 campaign, set a lifetime mark with her score in 1:59.3 and appears poised for a solid season in Excelsior Series competition.

Somermusic’chapter (Chapter Seven) raced in the Sire Stakes last season and though the Dan Daley trainee was winless as a freshman, she did earn more than $17,500 in just seven starts. With lasix added and hobbles off, Somermusic’chapter made her sophomore debut on Wednesday and driver Gerry Mattison was in to drive for Daley. The 3-year-old filly powered up first-over and cruised past her race’s favorite before drawing away to break her maiden in 2:00.2 to kick off her season in style.

The first installment of the NYSS at Saratoga will take place on May 26 with the 3-year-old trotting fillies competing at the Spa on Sunday (June 9).