Another New York Sire Stakes card was written in the books on Sunday afternoon (July 9) at Saratoga Casino Hotel and Senorita Palema topped the card for the two-year-old fillies.
Ake Svanstedt was in the bike of his trainee, Senorita Palema, as they went to the gate of the $43,100 trot from post five in the field of seven. Erin buzzed to the top and led the field through panels in :28.4, :59.4 and 1:28.1. Senorita Palema followed at her heels throughout the mile, tipping out in the final turn for a duel down the stretch. Svanstedt prevailed and Senorita Palema won by a half-length in 1:57. Erin settled for second and Dozen was third.
Owned by Bender Sweden Inc., the daughter of Chapter Seven and the Muscle Mass mare Tosca collected her first win in her first career start.
Svanstedt doubled in training and driving wins after going wire-to-wire with Honorable Way in the $42,300 division. The daughter of Chapter Seven and the Father Patrick mare Special Honor set the tempo through panels in :30, 1:00.4 and 1:30.2 before taking the win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.3. Seven Year Itch was second and Goodbye To You finished third.
Honorable Way is owned by Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld and she recorded her first win in her first start.
Date Night Hanover took the card opener, another $43,100 division, with Brian Sears in the bike for Marcus Melander. Date Night Hanover followed the pocket trip behind Billie E through panels in :29.1 and 1:00.1. Dutee Chand S made a move up the backstretch, pushing Date Night Hanover to third at the three-quarters in 1:30.1, but a miscue by the outerflow gave Sears clearance to take on the leader. Down the stretch, Date Night Hanover took over and took off to a two-length achievement in 1:59.2. Billie E followed in second and R Melina grabbed third.
Jeffrey Snyder and Onda Racing Stable LLC co-own the daughter of Chapter Seven and the Credit Winner mare Dont Wait Up who earned her first win in her first start.
In the final $43,100 division, Sister Mary Maude got away fourth in the field of seven, maintaining their spot on the pylons through the quarter in :28.3 and half in :58.4. Driver Joe Bongiorno pulled his right line to follow Star Attraction through the three-quarters in 1:28.1. Sister Mary Maude advanced down the stretch to a 2-1/2-length victory in 1:57.2. Star Attraction took second and Chapalonia finished third.
Ron Burke trains the Crazy Wow - Perfect Mass - Muscle Mass filly for Burke Racing Stable LLC, William Switala, James Martin and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. It was her third win in four career starts.
Barn Dreamer (Jason Bartlett; 2:01.2), Mimi (Brian Sears; 2:01.4), Barn Cj (Jason Bartlett; 1:59.1) and Versace Blue Chip (Tyler Buter; 1:59.4) each took victories in the four $20,000 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series.
In the $18,200 Open Handicap Winners-Over, Angel Nation took the lead after being parked to the quarter in :27.3. Brett Beckwith and the Melissa Beckwith trainee maintained their lead through panels in :56.3 and 1:25 before winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.4. Joxter was second and Malibu Kid rounded out the top three.
William Hartt owns Angel Nation, a six-year-old son of Archangel. The gelding moved his career bankroll to $426,086 with 26 wins. His seasonal record shows 8-4-4 in 23 starts with $123,090 earned.
Racing continues at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Monday afternoon with a first post of 12 p.m. (EDT).
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)