Buffalo Raceway kicked off its 2009 New York Sire Stakes action on Wednesday (June 3), with five divisions worth $31,695 each for three-year-old New York bred pacing fillies
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In the last division of the night, Perfect Launch, a Riverboat King offspring, won in 1:56.4 for owner Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York. Trained by Linda Toscano and driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., Perfect Launch ($4.00) shot to the front from Post 3, and set all the fractions in the race, :29.3, :58.3 and 1:28.1.
“Once we got to the front, she was on cruise control," said Morrill. “She’s perfectly gaited and a great little filly to drive."
It was Perfect Launch’s second win of the year and fifth lifetime in eleven attempts. Her career earnings now stand at $108,294. Allstar Salute (Mark Steacy) came in second, while Witch Is Bettor (Jody Jamieson) paced home in third.
In the second division, Uncirculated Stable’s Salty Dog Bluechip ($13.80), by the stallion Bettors Delight, scored for the first time this year in 1:57, with Canadian veteran Jody Jamieson in the sulky. It was Jamieson’s first win on the Hamburg 1/2 mile oval.
“I got a real nice two-hole trip," said Jamieson. “Drawing the rail really helped."
Bet On Luck (Kevin Cummings), who set all the fractions in the race, :29, :59 and 1:28.1, came in second while Delightful Dancer (Howard Okusko) finished third.
Driver Stephane Bouchard was the only driver to score a double in the five Sire Stakes races. Bouchard went wire to wire with Market Dynamics ($16.80), who paced home in 1:57.1 for owner-trainer Bill Popfinger and Alan Wolnek.
It was the first win of the year for the Pro Bono Best filly. She had three wins last year and her lifetime earnings now stand at $91,067. Eagle Way (Jim Morrill, Jr.), the prohibitive favourite in the race came in second, while Allamerican Caress (Sam Schillaci) came in the show spot.
Bouchard’s second win came aboard JK Cameo ($9.70), who also won for the first time this year in 1:57. The Art Major offspring left hard from Post 2, but was unable to get the lead, so Bouchard tucked her in the three-hole and waited to the backstretch to unleash her powerful strides.
“She’s a very strong filly," said Bouchard. “She was first over and took a lot of air and still finished real strong."
Trained by Linda Toscano, JK Cameo is owned by the 3 Brothers Stable and Steve Jones.
The other Sire Stakes winner was Sealed In My Heart ($11.60) driven by Dan Daley for owner Mathias Meinzinger of Central Islip, New York. The Sealed N Delivered three-year-old paced the mile in 1:58.3 for her first win of the year.
“She had throat problems early on in her career," said Daley. “She’s much better now, and I think she’s Sire Stakes material."
(Buffalo Raceway)