The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) returned to Saratoga Casino Hotel on Friday evening (July 28) with three-year-old trotting fillies Royal Filly and Canterbury Hanover taking their respective divisions. 

Driven by Tyler Buter, Royal Filly (pictured above) was the pacesetter in the first $87,000 NYSS division, clocking panels of :29, :58.2, and 1:26.4 before winning by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2. Pride N Joy (Niko Karna) finished second and Destinys Darling (Jordan Stratton) was third. 

Trained by Tony Alagna, the Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty daughter is owned by Crawford Farms Racing. After going winless in seven races as a freshman, she earned her third win of the year from nine starts, pushing her seasonal bankroll to $139,722. Royal Filly paid $2.50 to win as the bettors’ choice. 

Canterbury Hanover took home the winner’s share of the $85,500 purse in the second NYSS for sophomore trotting fillies with trainer Jeff Gregory in the bike. 

Canterbury Hanover got away fifth, eight lengths off the leading On The House (Marcus Miller), who took the field to the quarter in :28.2. After a miscue by the leader, Jeans Action (Jim Devaux) took over to lead the field to the half in :59.2. Woolco (Jordan Stratton) was on a first-over advance, followed by Canterbury Hanover. With Woolco leading the outer charge, the field continued split in two at the three-quarters in 1:28.2. Down the lane, it was a close battle for the win and came down to Woolco and Canterbury Hanover. In the photo for win, Canterbury Hanover prevailed by a nose in 1:57.2. Woolco was second and Jeans Action was fourth-placed-third.

Jesmeral Stable co-owns the sophomore Chapter Seven-Charmed Life filly with the Let It Ride Stables Inc. The win was her second of the season from nine starts and the fourth victory of her career. Canterbury Hanover paid $3.20 to win. 

Three $20,000 NYSS Excelsior divisions featured Eee Z Wow ($8.70), driven to victory in 1:58.1 by Tyler Buter for trainer Rob Harmon; Seven Bridges Road ($36.40), steered by John Stark Jr. to a 1:58.4 win for trainer Maureen Salino; and George Ducharme trainee Serendipity ($2.50), driven by Marcus Miller to victory in 1:58. 

Duckdodgendive won the $18,200 Winners Over/Open Handicap Trot for trainer and owner Laurie Tranowicz. 

Wally Hennessey and Duckdodgendive were parked to the quarter in :27.4 before assuming command of the field of nine. Once at the helm, the pair continued through panels in :57.4 and 1:26.4 with a last quarter in :28.4 en route to a 2-1/2-length achievement in 1:55.3. Yucatan Party Man (Billy Dobson) finished second with Grinder (Jim Devaux) third.

Duckdodgendive is a five-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding, who collected his fifth win of the season from 20 starts. The lion's share of the purse from his 20th career victory lifted his bankroll to $162,414.

Hennessey piloted a total of five horses to victory on the evening card, including All The Truth ($6.10) in 1:56.4 and Creditized ($4.40) in 2:01.1 for Brett Derue; A Million Chuckles ($7.60) in 2:00 for Eric Mollor; and Circuit Party ($22.80) in 1:56 for Dan Cappello Jr. 

Racing resumes at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday evening with 13 races on tap and a first post of 6:45 p.m.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)