Cowgirl Hall set a new three-year-old filly trotting track record at Batavia Downs Saturday night (July 28) by winning a $43,980 division of the New York Sire Stakes.
Driven and trained by Gates Brunet, Cowgirl Hall ($8.40) went the mile in 1:57.2, eclipsing the mark of 1:57.3 set in 2010 by Tuesdays With Mom and Munis Blue Chip.
Cowgirl Hall settled into fourth as the field hit the quarter pole, then used a quick brush to take the lead approaching the half-mile marker. She then posted a :58.3 half to set the record and put away Whimzical Britt, who was a distant second.
The victory was the sixth of the season for the Cash Hall filly and moved Cowgirl Hall's seasonal earnings to over $165,000.
"She was good tonight," said a very happy Gates Brunet in the winner's circle. "I made a couple of changes to her, I changed bridles so she could see better and added the U F O sulky."
The heavy 4-5 favourite Fortunista broke stride on the first turn and lost all chance.
Driver Steve Smith made his trip to Batavia Downs for the New York Sire Stakes worthwhile as he scored a pair of victories.
Smith, who normally races at Yonkers, took Lima Playmate to victory in a $43,980 division then later guided Kristins Victory in a $44,780 division.
Kristins Victory, owned by Smith and trained by Karen Garland, won her NYSS division in 1:58.1. She easily handled second place finisher Borrow And Spend by four lengths.
Starting out of post seven, Kristins Victory ($$3.60) was aided by a pair of breakers around the first turn and was able to avoid trouble and take the top just before the quarter pole.
It was the second straight stakes win for Kristins Victory, a Cash Hall filly, and took her season winnings to over $80,000.
In the opener of the New York Sire Stakes, Lima Playmate took command just before the quarter pole and rolled to a half-length victory over Pretend To Be Nice in 1:59.
Smith took Lima Playmate ($3.70) to a :58.4 half and held on from there.
Lima Playmate is owned by Lima Playmate Stable and Ray Schnittker of Middletown, New York. Schnittker also trains the three-year-old Credit Winner filly.
In the $9,000 Open Pace, Jim McNeight went wire-to-wire from the rail with RC Cruiser to pull the upset at odds of 6-1 in 1:53.3. Golden Terror was dispatched as the 2-5 favourite, but was really no factor at any point of the mile.
The New York Sire Stakes season continues at the nation's oldest lighted harness track on Wednesday night when two-year-old colt and gelding pacers square off in three divisions worth over $36,000 each.
Racing resumes on Monday night with a 12-race card scheduled for 6:25 p.m. This is the final Monday night program of the season. Racing switches to a Sunday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday schedule in August.
(Batavia Downs)