by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes freshman pacing fillies take center stage at Tioga Downs on Friday (Aug. 4).

The first division looks to be a showdown between the Ron Burke trained entry of Step Beyond (Art Major-Apogee Hanover) and Youaremycandygirl (American Ideal-Sweet Lady Jane), who are the morning line favorite (2-1) and the Kevin McDermott trained Hurrikane Shorty (Art Major-Speed Date), who is 5-2.

Step Beyond (Marcus Miller), who is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Silva, Purnell & Libby, and Weaver Bruscemi, is still looking for her first career win. At the Vernon Downs leg of the NYSS, she finished a solid third. Her other NYSS start she finished fourth at Saratoga.

Youaremycandygirl (Matt Kakaley) is owned by W J Donovan. She had a bad first start at Vernon Downs in the NYSS), but would have an impressive NYSS win at Saratoga. She would win by a little over two lengths in 1:54.1, using a :27.2 last quarter.

Hurrikane Shorty (Jim Marohn Jr.) is owned by Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, Art Geiger, and David Stolz. She has two wins and a second in three starts. She won her last start at Saratoga in NYSS company, going gate-to-wire in 1:55. She had to settle for second at the Vernon Downs NYSS leg.

In the second division the 5-2 morning line favorite is the Erv Miller trained All On Top Hanover (Betterthancheddar-Allamerican Apex). She is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Ervin Miller Stable, Ron Michelon and George Golemes. All On Top Hanover (Marcus Miller) has won her last two starts, including a gate-to-wire win at Saratoga in a NYSS race in 1:55.

The second choice at (7-2) is Twin B Peaches (Betterthancheddar-Beach Bound). She is trained by Blake MacIntosh. The freshman filly captured a leg of the NYSS at Vernon Downs in 1:52 as one of her two lifetime wins. Twin B Peaches (Jody Jamieson) is owned by Onaroll Stable, Touch Stone Farms, and Reginald Petipas.

The third choice is the Nicholas Devita trained Another Lawsuit (American Ideal-Court Stenographer) at 4-1. She secured her only career victory during the Buffalo Raceway NYSS leg, winning in 1:57.2. Another Lawsuit (Jim Morrill Jr.) is owned by Carl Sackheim.

The final division features the 5-2 morning line favorite Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie). She is owned by West Wins Stable, Jim Fielding, J. Robert Darrow, and Kevin McKinlay, while trained by Casie Coleman. Alexis Faith (Jim Morrill Jr.) is three-for-three in her freshman season including a NYSS victory in her last start at Saratoga, winning in 1:55.3.

Ubettergo Go (Art Major-Ubetterthink Think) is the chief rival being named the 7-2 second choice. She has won two legs of the NYSS. She won her divisions at Vernon Downs in 1:53 and Buffalo Raceway in 1:57.2. Ubettergo Go (Jody Jamieson) is owned by Tony Basile, Reginald Petipas, Ozzie Mackay, and trainer Blake MacIntosh.

The other top contender is Betterthangraduate (Betterthancheddar-Western Graduate), who is trained by Ron Burke. She is the morning line third choice (5-1). She has victories in two legs of the NYSS. She took her divisions at Vernon Downs in 1:55 and Buffalo Raceway in 1:57.1. The 2-year-old was second to Alexis Faith at Saratoga in the NYSS, losing by a length in the stretch. Betterthangraduate (Matt Kakaley) is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Silva, Purnell & Libby, Phil Collura and Weaver Bruscemi.

Post time for the Friday 13-race card at Tioga Downs is 6:50 p.m. For more information please go to www.tiogadowns.com.