by M. Kelly Young, Executive Assistant, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Saratoga Springs, NY — Twin B Senorita and Minnesota Chelsea continued to make their way through the New York Sires Stakes two-year-old trotting filly events with very little resistance on Friday, August 27, at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

One of two stakes wins during the evening for trainer-driver Ray Schnittker, Twin B Senorita cut out the mile and the daughter of Credit Winner trotted home a 2:03² winner. She is leased by Blue Chip Partners and first-time owners James Burke and John Hamilton.

“Tonight Ray was able to slow her down and start her up two times in the race — he says she drives like a Cadillac,” said Tom Grossman, principal of Blue Chip Partners.

Plans for Twin B including several stakes outside of New York after the Sires Stakes season concludes in mid-September, but as of yet, Grossman agrees she hasn’t been pushed much by her competition.

“We have yet to see what she really has, how fast she can go,” he added.

That may come when Twin B Senorita and the other division standout, Minnesota Chelsea, finally meet in a Sires Stakes event. They have drawn into separate divisions so far, but with one event remaining and both fillies the winners of three legs each, they will most certainly square off in the Sires Stakes final.

“We’re good friends with the Ackermans and they are great horsemen, so we look forward to racing against them in the final,” Grossman offered.

Doug Ackerman bred, raised and trains Minnesota Chelsea, who won her division on Friday easily in 2:04¹. Son D.R. Ackerman drives the Credit Winner filly and used a mile-cutting effort to extend her win streak to five.

“She is getting better every start,” said D.R. in the winner’s circle. “Tonight was a better race for her than the night she won in 1:58⁴ (in the Hanover Stakes at Balmoral Park in Chicago). She is getting more comfortable with half-mile racing and is coming along great.”

The Ackerman Stable is based in Michigan, but the family’s contingent of New York-breds is based at Historic Track in Goshen where Lenore Dominguez — a 25-year employee of the stable — cares for the Sires Stakes two and three-year-olds.

Dominguez also oversaw the Ackerman-bred and trained Chapeau, until she was sold early in the season. That filly has been the one to beat in the two-year-old pacing division.

Creditability earned some creditability with her maiden-breaking victory in another division. Schnittker directed the Credit Winner filly owned by Alan Ritchie under the wire in 2:03⁴.

John Stark, Jr. steered Paradise Quikie to her first win in 2:05. Gus and Alan Johnston, MGM Racing Stable and trainer Dan Altman own the daughter of BJ’s Super Star.

New York Sires Stakes action continues at Saratoga on Saturday, August 28, when three-year-old trotting fillies take the stage.