New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) action highlighted a 15-race card on Saturday night (June 24) at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Three-year-old colt and gelding pacers were featured in a pair of $80,000+ stakes races for sophomore New York-breds.
Huntinthelastdolar (Huntsville-Eighthunrdolrbill) came to town off a lifetime-best 1:49.2 score in NYSS competition at Vernon Downs. On Saturday, Wally Hennessey piloted Huntinthelastdolar for trainer Gregg McNair as he paced a sizzling first quarter in :26.3 before getting a significant breather and reaching the half in :56.3. Huntinthelastdolar cruised to victory in 1:52.2 to record his second win in as many weeks. Huntinthelastdolar is owned by Gregg McNair, George Kerr and Brad Grant of Ontario. He was the race’s co-favourite at odds of 6-5. I Was Tricked finished second while Goldin Greatness earned the show spot in the $82,500 stakes event.
The $84,000 NYSS race went the way of Duval Street (Huntsville-Native Bride), who won the biggest race of his young career on Saturday night. Jason Bartlett piloted the Ed Hart-trained three-year-old, who sat the pocket to Blue Hunt until evacuating the two-hole at the three-quarter pole. Duval Street overpowered that rival before pacing away to score by 2-1/4 lengths in a mile clocked in 1:52.4. Blue Hunt, the 8-5 second choice in the wagering, finished second to the 3-2 favourite while Taste Of Honey was third best. The winner is owned by Randall Bendis, Pollack Racing and Reed Broadway.
It was in a $20,000 Excelsior Series race on Saturday in which the fastest mile of the 2023 season at the Spa was paced as Storm The Court scored in 1:51.4 with Jason Bartlett driving for trainer Mark Silva.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee that begins at 12 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)