Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs played host to two $58,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Thursday (July 23).
Racine Bell ($10.60) won an exciting first division.
Racine Bell and John MacDonald went straight to the front and led a :26.2 first quarter, before yielding to Cash Roll (Matt Kakaley), who brushed from third and led to the half in :54.4. On the final turn, Roll With Angel (Dan Daley) advanced to pace side-by-side with Cash Roll and reach a slight lead at three-quarters in 1:22.3, with Dragon Roll (Jim Morrill Jr.) second-over in third and Racine Bell pinned in fourth.
While Dragon Roll kicked cover for a slight lead in the stretch, Racine Bell slipped through on the inside to win by a nose in a lifetime best of 1:51. Dragon Roll finished second, just a nose better than Galleria Gal.
Racine Bell, a 3-year-old filly by So Surreal, is trained by David Dewhurst for owners Dale and Chris Lawton. It was her second win this season and the fifth of her career.
Hen Party ($3.10) captured the second division.
Fashion Hill (Howard Parker) was fastest off the gate, but Petticoat Business (Tyler Buter)took control before hitting the first quarter in :27.1. Hen Party and driver Andy McCarthy made their move reaching the backstretch and led to the half in :55.2 before facing pressure from Alleyesonme AS (Scott Zeron) to three-quarters in 1:23.1.
Turning for home, Hen Party and Alleyesonme AS were shoulder to shoulder, but Hen Party found another gear in the stretch and won in a lifetime best of 1:50.2. Petticoat Business came up to finish second; Alleyesonme AS hung on for third.
Hen Party, a 3-year-old filly by Roll With Joe, is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by Tony Alagna. It was her third win of the season and the sixth of her career.
John MacDonald drove four winners on the card.
Live racing returns to Vernon Downs with a 12-race card on Saturday (July 25) at 4 p.m.