Jula Florence sat a perfect pocket trip before striking late to score a narrow victory in the lone $137,260 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) division for two-year-old trotting fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Aug. 26. 

Seveallisto (Leon Bailey) and Jula Florence (Tyler Miller) both left from the middle of the gate and lined up first and second, respectively, in front of a full field of fillies in a :28.2 first quarter. Seveallisto continued to dictate the fractions at the half in :59, when Anabella (Brett Beckwith) came calling first-over on the outside and drew alongside Jula Florence.

Seveallisto led the girls through turn four where Anabella tailed off, affording Jula Florence room to tip out at the top of the stretch. From there, Jula Florence trotted hard to make up the deficit, catching Seveallisto late by a neck to win in 1:58.2. Anabella finished third.

The win was the third win of the year, all in NYSS action, from six starts for Jula Florence ($4.48). The daughter of Chapter Seven-Jula Shes Magic, bred by Jula Racing Inc., is owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc., Windsong Stable and Dumain Haven Farm and trained by Julie Miller.

There were also two $27,397 New York Excelsior Series races for rookie trotting fillies on the card. 

The first was won by the Mets Hall-Supreme Seven filly Solar Queen (2:00.3, $4.74), who was driven by Matt Kakaley for trainer Rob Harmon and owners Go For Glory Stable and Matthew Lamont.

The second went to the Chapter Seven-Oh My Goodness miss Native Pride (1:59.3, $2.44), whom Jeff Gregory drove and George Ducharme trained for owner FTM Racing Stable. 

Trainer David Russo sent out three winners on the 13-race card. He started the card with a victory from Matticulous Gb ($16.52), won the third with Brutus Bayama ($9.76) and completed the triple with Great Unknown ($4.32). The Wednesday trio brought his seasonal total to 50 wins from 283 starts.

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Thursday at 5 p.m. There will be a guaranteed pool of $7,500 in the Pick-5 wager in the first race, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. 

(With files from Batavia Downs)