Barn Bella took back her track record title at Tioga Downs after Celebrity Ruth turned in a speedy victory of her own during the season-opening leg of the New York Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday night (May 28).
The New York Sire Stakes season opener featured three divisions, worth over $40,000 each.
Trainer Steven Pratt's defending NYSS champion Barn Bella ($2.10) looped longshot leaver Eleventeen at the :28.1 quarter pole in the evening's middle division and cruised through middle splits of :57.1 and 1:25 en route to a new track record of 1:53.3, remaining undefeated in her sophomore campaign spanning four races thus far. Amber Ella finished two and three-quarters lengths behind in second off a ground-saving trip while Southwind Tesla edged out Eleventeen for third.
Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables LLC also co-own the Conway Hall-Bravissima filly, who was driven by Jeff Gregory. Barn Bella owned the divisional track record coming into the night courtesy of her 1:54 victory in an Open event last week, but briefly lost the title to the first division winner.
One race prior, White Birch Farm's lightly raced Celebrity Ruth ($4.90) made front during the :28.2 quarter and fought off first-over challenger Sunshine Delight through panels of :57 and 1:25 on her way to a two and a half length victory in 1:53.4 for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer. The Archangel-Celebrity Obsesion filly is now two-for-four in her career.
Trained and driven by Charlie Norris, Maewegonow ($11.20) was a 1:55.4 wire-to-wire winner in the final division, holding off the pocket-pulling Scarey Karie by half a length. The Deweycheatumnhowe-Mauresmo filly is owned by Carrie Norris, G And B Racing and Acadia Farms Inc.
Earlier on the card in the $23,700 Hub International Pacing Series final for three-year-old colts, the entry from owner Ken Jacobs and trainer Linda Toscano of Brian J (Scott Zeron) and Avatar J (Mike Simons) ended in a dead heat. Brian J ($2.10) took the lead at the top of the stretch, but Avatar J (2.10) came flying late to earn the tie. Both American Ideal colts achieved lifetime marks of 1:52.3.
(With files from Tioga Downs)