Buffalo Raceway will present a 'doubleheader' of sorts on Wednesday afternoon, June 26 as a big 14-race program is set for 2:30 p.m. with the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) in town for both sexes in the sophomore trotting divisions. Purses ready to be distributed on the entire day total $383,500 USD.
In the $117,700 USD division for the three-year-old fillies, Sister Mary Maude (pictured above), a winner of $195,807 thus far in her career, is the 8-5 morning line favourite with the inside post. She posted an eight-length win at Buffalo Raceway in the NYSS as a two-year-old. It's been a strange start for her in 2024 as Sister Mary Maude (Crazy Wow-Perfect Mass) has finished second in all five of her starts. Trained by Ron Burke, she hopes to get out of the 'bridesmaid' role from the rail with Joe Bongiorno scheduled to drive.
Sadbirdstillsing (Chapter Seven-Fade Into You) won the NYSS at Yonkers on May 20 but in three recent appearances has finished no better than third. The Tony Alagna trainee hopes to be 'singing' late for driver Jason Bartlett.
Winning Alliance (Chapter Seven-Perfect Alliance) arrives off wins in six of her seven starts on the campaign. She had her six-race win streak snapped on June 7 in the NYSS at Tioga Downs where she finished three-quarters of a length behind Honey Sweet. Trained by Matt Bax, Winning Alliance will start from the four-hole with Todd Ratchford driving.
Others in the field are Hippie Shake, Shiv, Nymeria and Seven Year Itch.
There is also one division for the three-year-old colt and gelding trotters and that will carry a bounty of $119,800 USD.
The 2-1 morning line favourite is Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility), who has a NYSS victory under his belt thus far in 2024, that being a half-length score at Monticello Raceway on June 3. Keep Asking has produced $342,184 in earnings in his lifetime. The George Ducharme trainee will start from the four spot for Tyler Buter.
Sky Box (E L Titan-Goddess) drew the rail with Brett Beckwith scheduled for the ride for trainer Paul Kelley. He is moving up from the Excelsior Series after rolling to a three-length score at Monticello Raceway on June 3 in 1:57.
Another to keep on eye on is Super Duper Cooper (E L Titan-Pink Power), who has earned $155,379 in his career thus far. The John Butenschoen trainee gets the three-hole for Bartlett.
Others in the full field of eight include Crazy Brother Jim, Inflation, Victor Laszlo, Nottingham and It Wasnt Me.
There will be four $20,000 USD events in the Excelsior Series and the $14,000 USD Class A-Open Pace for the mares.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)