Indulge Me came into Thursday’s $176,000 New York Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies at Monticello Raceway with great credentials and she lived up to her billing easily winning her $44,143 division in a time of 1:54:3
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Hall of Fame driver Mike Lachance handled the driving chores for trainer Ed Lohmeyer as the daughter of Bettor's Delight had little trouble defeating her seven opponents en route to boosting her seasonal earnings over $166,000.
Lachance gunned Indulge Me to the front from the five-hole and they had a comfortable three length lead at the quarter in :28:3. The filly coasted by the half in :57:2 and the three-quarter pole in 1:26:1. In the final turn Allstar Salute moved out to challenge in the final turn but when the field straightened for home Lachance asked his filly for more and she responded by opening up daylight and cruised to her third victory in five seasonal starts. Allstar Salute was second with She Rocks taking home the show dough.
"This is a perfect filly to drive and a pleasure to sit behind," said Mike Lachance. "Whatever I ask of her she does; and she does it well!"
Owned by Bob and Lauren Tucker, Indulge Me, who also won her NYSS division here as a freshman, paid a paltry $2.80 for win.
However, Indulge Me wasn't the only impressive sophomore NY-bred filly pacer to win her $44,143 division that afternoon.
All Spirit, a smallish daughter of Bettors Delight, trained by Tim Lanpher, smoked the Mighty M double oval in an identical time of 1:54:3.
Jimmy Marohn, Jr. gave the filly a perfect drive when he moved her first-up when the field headed for the halfway point as pacesetter Bet On Luck passed that stanza in :58:2. All Spirit slowly moved alongside Bet On Luck and as the two fillies headed for the three quarters Marohn gave All Spirit her head and she passed Bet On Luck like a freight trains passes a hobo. Into the final turn All Spirit had five lengths which was opened to eight at the wire. Bet On Luck held on for second while Up Front Kellie Jo finished third.
"She's something else. Stop or go, it makes no difference. You can turn her on or turn her off and she'll just do what is asked of her," Marohn said about All Spirit and then he added: "I haven't seen all of her yet, either."
Someone for the crowd yelled to Marohn that she's (All Spirit) a small filly to which he blurted back "I'm a small guy!"
Owned by Larry Lanpher, All Spirit paid $3.70 for win.
Jordan Stratton surprised the crowd when he won the third $43,343 split with 10-1 shot Kentucky Charm in a 1:57 clocking. After following the pace-setter Sealed In My Heart the entire way, Stratton used the passing lane to sprint by the leader and score a one length triumph over Sealed In My Heart. Favoured Delightful Dancer finished third.
Sam Serianni trains the winner, a daughter of Totally Western, for owners Ed Namiotka, Burton Ginter, the Slo-Down Stable and Ken Jacobs. Kentucky Charm returned a $22.20 win mutuel.
In what turned out to be the most competitive of the four NYSS divisions the final $44,143 split went to Eagle Way and driver Jason Bartlett in a time of 1:57 over Six of Hearts and Majorette Hanover.
Mark Ford trains the daughter of Dream Away for Frank Dettore Horse Racing LLC. Sent off as the favourite in the race, Eagle Way paid $5.10.
(Monticello Raceway)