by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga

Saratoga, NY — The first installment of the New York Sire Stakes on the 2016 campaign took place on Friday night (June 3) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Sophomore pacing fillies took center stage on the evening’s 13-race program and there were three divisions for the top flight New York-bred fillies that went for purses of better than $58,000.

Melissa Simser-Iovino photo

Dime A Dance wins her New York Sire Stakes division in 1:54.

The defending champion is Dime A Dance (Roll With Joe) and the 3-year-old made her 2016 Sire Stakes debut on Friday (June 3) as the race’s 1-9 betting favorite. Matt Kakaley piloted the Ron Burke trained filly and moved her to the early lead. Dime A Dance faced a challenge in the stretch from Angels Rockn Pink (Rock N Roll Heaven) before scoring in 1:54.

The other two Friday (June 3) Sire Stakes winners were Time On My Hands (American Ideal) who scored with Jason Bartlett in the bike for trainer Chris Ryder and No Clouds Bluechip (Roll With Joe) with Mark Beckwith piloting for conditioner John Berger. Both of those fillies stopped the timer in 1:53.2.

New York Sire Stakes action will return to Saratoga on Friday (July 8) when 2-year-old pacing colts are featured.

Live racing continues on Saturday nigh (June 4)t at the Spa with a 6:45 p.m. first post.