Laurens Chapter stayed steady and on task for a big victory in the sole $168,592 New York Sire Stakes event for three-year-old trotting fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 29. 

Niko Karna settled Laurens Chapter in fourth as the heavily favoured Sharp Seven (Jason Bartlett) took the lead from Who Dares Wins (James MacDonald) passing the quarter in :28.4. Sharp Seven then reached the half in :58.1 and rounded turn two headed for the second circuit. As the field went by five-eighths, Karna tipped Laurens Chapter into the breeze, and the pair made their way up to second as they went by three-quarters in 1:27.4. Positions remained unchanged until halfway through the final bend, where Sharp Seven made a break and pulled to the outside of Laurens Chapter. Who Dares Wins then also broke and went inside the cones. Laurens Chapter was left alone in the centre of the track with the lead and cruised to the line a 2-1/4-length winner in 1:57. Jula Hot To Chill (Matt Kakaley) finished third, followed by Chant (Tyler Buter).

Laurens Chapter, a Chapter Seven-A Hopeful Prayer filly, is owned by Patricia Stbl And Laexpress, Sjoblom Racing And M. Dolan, and Allister Stables LLC and Caviart Farms. Noel Daley trains the filly, a three-time winner in 15 career outings who was bred by Little E LLC and Andy Miller Stable Inc. She paid $19.16 to win.

There were also two $28,169 New York Excelsior Series races for sophomore filly trotters on the card.

The first was won by Bar Hall Beauty ($3.52), a daughter of Mets Hall-Bar Bar driven by Jason Bartlett for trainer Nick Devita, in 1:58.1. She is owned by David Hamm and Glenn Phillips and was bred by Winbak Farm. 

The second went to the Chatper Seven-Steamy Windows filly Myths And Legends ($5.76). James MacDonald piloted the Order By Stable Ab-bred to the 1:57.3 victory for trainer Marcus Melander and owner SRF Stable.

In overnight action, Drew Monti lit it up with five driving wins on the 13-race card, including a victory in the sub-featured $19,014 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace with Elegant Woman A. The mare went right to the front, posting fractions of :28.1, :56.4 and 1:24.3, and held off Surfinmakescents A (Larry Stalbaum) by a half-length to win in 1:53.1 and establish a new career mark. Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished third. Elegant Woman A, a six-year-old Bettors Delight-Versace Woman mare, is owned by Vogel & Wags Nags LLC, Jack Rice, Monti, and her trainer, Maria Rice. She is 13-for-43 lifetime.

Monti also won with Rightfully Mine (1:55.2, $16.52), Passionate Pen (1:57, $5.26), Rattling Pine (1:59, $3.38) and Street Art (1:58.1, $27.94) to complete his quintet. He leads the Batavia standings early in the meet with 29 wins, 12 more than second-placed Brett Beckwith.

Dave McNeight Jr. had two training wins on Wednesday. 

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Saturday at 5 p.m.

(With files from Batavia Downs)