Quietly and without much fanfare on Monday, July 18 at Monticello Raceway, the Jordan Stratton-driven Dream Vacation filly Stell R Time trotted the fastest of the New York Sire Stakes late closers for sophomore fillies when she triumphed in 1:59:4.
Stell R Time's clocking is among the top three fastest ever for three-year-old trotting fillies at Monticello Raceway.
The Stephen LaBelle-trained filly made the lead after the opening quarter, cut the rest of the fractions and went on to post a one-length victory.
“She (Stell R Time) started slowly, but when I saw (Kim Crawford, driving Linda Goldstein) take hold of his filly, I decided I’d be better off on the front-end. And after she took the lead she trotted along so easily that I let her have her way and she just kept right at her business,” Stratton said after the winning drive. "Kim came at us down the passing lane [but] my filly was still strong at the wire.”
Other late closer winners included Dream Ticket (by Dream Vacation, victorious in 2:01:3), All That Dazzle (Credit Winner, 2:00.3) and Lotto Winner (Credit Winner, 2:02.3).
(With files from Monticello)