Two-year-old trotting fillies took center stage on Monday afternoon (June 20) at Saratoga Casino Hotel as a pair of New York Sire Stakes races highlighted the 12-race card.

Most fillies were making their lifetime debut when they took part in the $78,700 and $77,300 co-featured races for the rookie trotters.

Stablemates Canterbury Hanover (Chapter Seven-Charmed Life-Majestic Son) and Kayleigh S (Chapter Seven-Pasithea Face S- Muscle Hill) recorded victories in the big races for trainer Marcus Melander and driver Brian Sears.

Canterbury Hanover had one solid qualifier as prep for her debut on Monday and cruised on the front end under the guidance of the Hall of Famer Sears in her NY Sire Stakes race. Canterbury Hanover, the 4-5 betting favourite, cruised to a decisive score in her debut. The freshman filly was the fastest two-year-old of the day as she stopped the timer in 1:59. Canterbury Hanover is owned by Holly Lane Stud East Ltd. of Vero Beach, Florida.

Kayleigh S also came in with one qualifier at the Meadowlands on her resume, one in which she showed some promise. Sears wasted little time moving to the front with the Melander trainee, who held off just a mild challenge from the favourite in the stretch before scoring in 2:00.4 in the $77,300 NY Sire Stakes event for freshman fillies. Kayleigh S, who paid $5.80 to win as her race’s second choice in the wagering, is owned by Courant Inc. of Delray Beach, Florida.

While Sears won the two biggest races of the day, Jason Bartlett piloted three winners on the matinee card.

Live racing resumes on Friday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 5 p.m.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)