The New York Sire Stakes will make its first stop at Batavia Downs this year on Saturday (July 26) and the three-year-old pacing fillies will be center stage during opening night of Batavia’s 2025 season. Post time for the first race is at 6 p.m.

A single field of eight state-bred side-wheelers will go postward for a purse of $121,800 USD and the top three fillies in this division will be on hand to rumble for those riches in race six.

The Last Martini (Huntsville-Martinique) has been installed as the morning line favourite and her resume certainly backs that designation. A winner of over half a million dollars last year, The Last Martini’s 2024 season was highlighted by a win in the $304,054 NYSS final and second place finishes in the $532,000 Shes A Great Lady and $972,222 Breeders Crown, where she finished right behind the 2024 Dan Patch two-year-old pacer of the year, Miki And Minnie.

The Last Martini also won at Batavia last year in a NYSS event in 1:54.2 while defeating Send It Down Slim and Cowgirl Hanover.

This year The Last Martini has started out strong, winning three of six starts. She also finished third and beat only a length in the $390,000 Fan Hanover (that was won by Miki And Minnie) in 1:48.3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Trainer Jared Bako has assigned the second leading dash driver in North America, Jason Bartlett, to this drive and they will be leaving mid-pack, from post four.

Her main competition will most likely come from Send It Down Slim and Mrs. Cheese.

Send It Down Slim (Huntsville-Rockinsangria) has been the picture of consistency this year, with two wins and four seconds in her last six starts. After winning in a lifetime best 1:55.4 at Buffalo, Send It Down Slim was second by three-quarters in 1:51.1 at Vernon Downs to The Last Martini, and second by a head in 1:53.2 at Saratoga Raceway to Mrs Cheese just last week. Although she likes the front end, Send It Down slim can also win off the pace and her favorable draw gives her the option of doing either here.

Send It Down Slim will start from post two with Mark Macdonald in the bike for trainer Ray Schnittker.

Unraced at two, Mrs Cheese has really found herself this year and comes into this race on a roll after winning back-to-back starts, and both over half-mile tracks. After winning the $68,493 MGM Park at Yonkers Raceway in a lifetime best 1:54.2, Mrs Cheese came right back and scored again in a $238,356 NYSS event at Saratoga in 1:53.2 over a sloppy track, lowering her career mark once again while defeating both The Last Martini and Send It Down Slim. Her task got a little tougher here however, as both of those drew inside of her this week.

Regular reinsman Matt Kakaley will be up again for trainer Scott Di Domenico and will line up from post six.

There are also three $20,000 USD Excelsior events on the program, carded as race two, four and eight.  

Batavia Downs is also offering a big carryover and a guaranteed pool on Saturday.

Due to the cancellation of the February 24 card of racing at Batavia, there is a $4,250.57 carryover pool in the Jackpot Hi-5 wager that will be offered in the 15th race on Saturday. And that pool will be a mandatory payout and guaranteed at $7,500 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program. 

The Jackpot Hi-5 at Batavia Downs is a 20-cent minimum wager and the estimated post time for the 15th race on Saturday is 10:40 p.m.

(Batavia Downs)