Three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old trotting fillies were contested at a soggy Tioga Downs on Friday (Aug. 3).
In the $35,866 first division of the NYSS, Winndevie (Jim Meittinis) nipped Amal Hall (Marcus Miller) in an exciting stretch drive to remain undefeated in her career.
Qiss Me Blue Chip (Rick Zeron) led the field through a first quarter of :30.1. Amal Hall then took control, leading the way to the half in 1:00.3 and three-quarters in 1:29.2.
Owned by Purple Haze Stables and trained by Trond Smedshammer, Winndevie ($3.50) made her move at the midway mark and she took over second before the three-quarters.
Winndevie and Amal Hall then matched strides around the last turn and all the way down the stretch with neither filly giving an inch. Winndevie made one last lunge to prevail in a lifetime-best of 1:58. Amal Hall had to settle for second with Qiss Me Blue Chip taking third.
Winndevie is a two-year-old filly by Credit Winner out of Vida De Vie. She is now a perfect four-for-four in her young career, racing exclusively in NYSS thus far.
Quincy Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) charged late to win the second division worth $36,566.
Liquorstoreblues (Kim Crawford) led to the opening quarter in :28.3. Sweet Chapter (Rick Zeron) blew by just after the first quarter and easily led the group to the half in :57.4 and was the first one to three-quarters in 1:26.3.
Quincy Blue Chip ($3) was six lengths back after three-quarters. She just flew down the stretch to win in 1:56.1 for owner Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and trainer Gareth Dowse. With Out A Doubt (Marcus Miller) came on late to finish second with Thanks For Leaving (Jeff Gregory) finishing third.
Quincy Blue Chip is a two-year-old filly by Chapter Seven out of Sirenuse. The win was her third in four career/NYSS starts.
Woodside Charm (Verlin Yoder) was impressive in her NYSS debut, winning the third $36,566 division.
Conway Kellyanne (Charlie Norris) controlled the first half of the race (:28.1, :58.3) while Woodside Charm ($3.30) followed in the pocket until the middle of the backstretch. Owned and trained by Yoder, she brushed to the lead hitting three-quarters in 1:26.2 and breezed in the stretch, winning in 1:55.2. She was just one-fifth of a second off the track record. Stella Jane (Jim Morrill Jr.) finished second and Sensibility (Mike Simons) was third-best.
Woodside Charm is a two-year-old filly by Chapter Seven out of Fireworks Hanover. She is now two-for-two in her career.
(With files from Tioga Downs)