Åke Svanstedt put on a training and driving clinic in the $108,600 New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (July 26), winning all four divisions he competed in, going wire-to-wire with each, and even equalling a track record with one.
In the first $21,800 division, Fury Road (Muscle Mass-Bar Ballad) opened up a six-length lead at the quarter and never looked back. After setting almost equal fractions through the first three-quarters, she trotted home in :29.3 to score a seven-length 2:00.1 victory. It was the first lifetime win for Fury Road ($2.80) after two second-place finishes for owner Knuttson Trotting, Inc.
Next, Svanstedt sent Natalie Hanover (Chapter Seven-Nanticoke Hanover) off the gate to lead the entire mile unchallenged to eventually win by three lengths in 1:59.4, which shattered her previous lifetime mark of 2:04. That was the second lifetime tally in three tries for Natalie Hanover ($3.60), who is owned by the Svanstedt-Nasstrom Stable, the Van Camp Trotting Corp., Anders Olsson and Lars Berg.
Lucky Ava (Lucky Chucky-Ava Marion) was the next stable star Svanstedt sent down the road, going in :29.1, :58.4 and 1:29 before trotting home to win in 1:59.3, which was a lifetime mark for the winner. Lucky Ava ($2.40) is now a perfect three-for-three lifetime for owners Åke Svanstedt, Little E, LLC and the Van Camp Trotting Corp.
Svanstedt’s grand slam came when Plunge Blue Chip (Muscle Mass) followed the script and chased the car off the wings. She opened up a three-length lead, setting quarters of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:29.4 before turning for home with a widening gap, stopping the clock in 1:59, which tied her lifetime best as well as the seven-year-old track record at Batavia Downs. Plunge Blue Chip ($2.10) is also undefeated lifetime with three consecutive wins so far this year for owners Åke Svanstedt and Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc.
In the only division Svanstedt did not start a filly, Missus Mia Wallace (Credit Winner-Upscale) overcame a break at the start to take the lead by the quarter and tour the facility unencumbered to win by two lengths in 2:02.2. It was the first lifetime win for Missus Mia Wallace ($12.80) that is owned by Connie Hochstetler, Robert Buddig and Allen Schwartz. Jim Morrill, Jr. drove for trainer Homer Hochstetler.
There were also three $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior A series on the card.
Barn Bliss (Credit Winner-Jupiter) won the first division in 2:04 to set a new lifetime mark. Barn Bliss ($5.90) is owned by Steve Pratt, Nancy Pratt, the Purple Haze Stable and the Out In The Country Stable. Jim Morrill, Jr. drove for trainer Howard Okusko.
In the second division, Miss Muscle (Muscle Mass-Pacific Edge) won by a mere head in 2:01.3 to win her first lifetime start for owners David Smith, John Stark, Jr., James Gianuzzi and Daniel Gianuzzi. Miss Muscle ($13.80) was trained and driven by John Stark, Jr.
The final leg was won by Pittstop Emerald (R C Royalty-Nowerland Kristen) by a three-length margin in 2:00.2, which was a new lifetime mark in her second lifetime victory. Pittstop Emerald ($6.60) is owned and trained by Robert Gale and was driven by Chris Lems.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night (July 28), with post time for the first race set at 6:00 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)