The fastest mile for New York Sire Stakes two-year-old trotting fillies at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon (July 12) belonged to Mamora Bay.
The betting favourite, Mamora Bay (Chapter Seven - Giulie Bi) sat third for most of the mile as she followed Hotel Royale and Shes Smoke. The filly was gaining maturity and momentum with every step. Nearing the five-eighths-mile marker she was out and it was a two-horse race between Mamora Bay and Hotel Royale as the two opened up on the rest and trotted in tandem down the lane. Mamora Bay won by a length in 2:00.1, trotting her last quarter in :29.1 for owner Peter Barbato.
In the winner's circle, Matt Kakaley told trainer Sam Schillaci, “I really like her. She can move!” Schillaci responded with “I liked the filly all winter.”
In the first heat of the $21,800 Sire Stakes, Sunshine Delight (John Campbell) were on top for the first part of the mile. At the five-eighths-mile marker, Kakaley was sitting third and tipped his mount Heels On Wheels to the outside. The filly was in cruise control and she eventually wore down Sunshine Delight to prevail for a neck victory in 2:01. Trainer Ron Burke (as Burke Racing Stable LLC) co-owns the Conway Hall – Go Go Dancer filly along with Crawford Farms LLC, Larry Karr and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Monticello Raceway's leading driver, Bruce Aldrich teamed up with Mighty Surf from the rail in the second NYSS division. As the gate left, Dazzlash took the lead and remained on the front for the first three-quarters while Mighty Surf was tracking in the two hole. Aldrich tipped his filly to the outside and she had the lead and six lengths in the blink of an eye. The Prayer I Am - Big Surfer filly tripped the teletimer in 2:01 for owner Roy Dobbins and trainer Dennis Laterza.
In the next NYSS split, Dan Daley and Cherry Royal Ruby left hardest from the gate followed by Maewegonow. Cherry Royal Ruby took them past the quarter in 29.3. As soon as they hit that marker, Maewegonow and Marcus Miller took the lead, passing the half in 1:01.1. Past the half, Scarey Karie (Conway Hall – Alabama Hotel) was flushed out without cover and was forced to take the overland route down the backstretch. Still first-over at the three-quarters, she trotted in tandem with Maewegonow down the stretch to prevail in a gritty win in 2:01 for trainer-driver Phil Fluet and owner Michael Woodward.
The last sire stakes event came in the afternoon's last race. By the time the seven-horse field came out of the first turn, all made breaks except Flyhawk Charm. The daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe - Final Time used this to her advantage and kept as much distance between her and the rest of the bunch to win in 2:03. Chris Lems drove the filly for trainer Joseph Flynn, who co-owns with Edward Flynn.
(with files from Monticello)