Eight divisions of two-year-old trotting fillies went to post in the $152,000 New York Sire Stakes at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon
, and when they were completed the people’s choices fared well in all the splits.
The fastest mile of the afternoon was turned in by Bluestone Farms’ For A Dancer. Jeff Gregory guided the Conway Hall filly to a 2:01 triumph over Kristins Victory and Steve Smith. Gregory cruised to the front and turned in an easy triumph which was just three ticks off the track record of 2:00:2 set by Jezzy and Ray Schnittker last year.
“She’s automatic..just perfect “Jeff Gregory said of For A Dancer who is now three-for-three lifetime.
Ray Schnittker has another good looking two-year-old filly in Lima Playmate who toured the Mighty M oval in a time of 2:01:3 leaving runner-up Zanna Royal (Dan Daley) some seven lengths in the rears.
Many railbirds thought that Lima Playmate could have broken Jezzy’s track record of 2:00:2 if Schnittker urged her a little.
Asked if she’s as good as Jezzy, Schnittker smiled and said; ”She’s really good. Got the size and is strong but she has a long way to go to be as good as Jezzy.”
Schnittker co-owns the daughter of Credit Winner with Lima Playmate Stable.
In yet another split Miss Fidget, a slick-gaited daughter of Conway Hall remained undefeated in three career starts when Eddie Lohmeyer guided her to a five-length triumph over Steuben Lone Pine and driver Dave Fisher in a time of 2:04.
Lohmeyer returned home to Monticello where he began his illustrious career many years ago, was real pleased with his filly’s performance.
“We had things all our own way but when we passed the three quarters I had a tough time kicking her ear plugs loose,” Lohmeyer said. “But after they were out she zipped away to an easy victory.”
Miss Fidget is owned by Lohmeyer’s wife, Dr. Patty Hogan.
In their division, Allidoiswin and Marcus Johansson shadowed Barbara Goldstein and Kim Crawford until the top of the stretch and then out-slugged the leader to win by a head in 2:03:3.
The Credit Winner filly is owned by Takter, Fielding, Plouffe and Fielding.
Johansson won another division when he reined Anandamide, another Credit Winner filly, to a 2:04:3 triumph over Eddie Lohmeyer’s Slugging It Out.
“I love this filly,” Johansson said and he jumped up on his sulky and headed out of the winners circle.
Anandamide is owned by ACL Stuteri.
John Stark, Jr. won a division with Glee in a 2:05 clocking over a stubborn Fortunista driven by D.R. Ackerman. Glee trotted the final panel in :30 seconds with Fortunista gaining with every stride but unfortunately for her she ran out of racetrack
Stark won another split with Third Mortgage when they grabbed the front and lulled their competition to sleep and then poured on a :29:4 final stanza en route to a 2:05:4 triumph over DWs Jeanne and Stephane Bouchard.
This daughter of Credit Winner is co- owned by Stark, Little E,LLC ; Ted Smith and Lee Brook Farms.
A final division was won in wire-to-wire fashion by Starglow Hall in 2:04:1 for driver Chris Ryder. Upfront Perry was second for Jeff Gregory.
The Conway Hall filly is co-owned by Ryder and Max Wernick and Terry and Clarence Devos.
(Monticello Raceway)