The New York Sire Stakes three-year-old Late Closing trotting fillies invaded Batavia Downs on Wednesday, August 11. The talented lasses raced in three divisions and each had a purse in excess of $13,000.
The photo finish camera was needed for the first division. Neverhitthebrakes and driver Jack Flanigen took a solid three-length lead just after the quarter pole and held that margin until Final Time and driver Jimmy Whittemore began to close in.
Down the lane Neverhitthebrakes was grimly holding on, but it was a relentless Final Time who trotted up for a head victory in 2:01.3. Study Hall and driver Josh Marks finished well back in third in a race marred by four early breakers. The fractions for the field were :30.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4.
Final Time (Conway Hall-Charms Chip) is trained by part owner Joseph Flynn. She is also owned by Edward Flynn. The winning price of the first stakes race was $7.90.
Late Closer stakes action continued in the fourth race on the card. The dash saw three fillies get class relief by dropping out of Sire Stakes events, and two of them would finish one-two. Distracting Beauty, with trainer-driver Perry Simser at the controls, moved to the front at the quarter pole and trotted strongly to the wire, holding off the pocket-sitting Jetties and driver Jimmy Whittemore by one length in 2:01.3. Judith (driven by Jack Flanigen), who came first over, wound up third.
Simser commented that the young filly is “becoming more handy” and “showing improvement.”
The fractions for the fillies were :30, 1:00.2 and 1:31.3. Distracting Beauty (Malabar Man-Overnight Rail) is owned by Gary Greenhouse, Harvey Friedman and Ronald Rubenstein. The winning price was a modest $5.50.
The third division started out pretty much as expected with 2-5 favourite Dream State and Josh Marks showing the way, however the final result was anything but expected.
Heading around the final turn Dontwanttobeblue and pilot Ray Fisher, Jr. -- who went off at 50-1 despite leaving the tougher Sire Stakes ranks -- were up to challenge and trotted right on by the heavy favourite as the field of seven turned for home.
Not home free yet, Dontwanttobeblue was surrounded as Radiant One and Jack Flanigen had exited the pocket and were storming down the centre while My Winning Way K, with pilot Jimmy Whittemore who split horses also, were coming on.
At the wire it was the Erv Miller-trained Radiant One that got up by a head over the upset-minded Dontwanttobeblue and My Winning Way K in 2:01.2. The fractions were :30.1, 1:01.1 and 1:30.3.
Radiant One (Credit Winner-Marvelous Yankee) notched her fourth win of the season for owners Mystical Marker Farms, Shim Racing and John Carver. The winning price for the final stakes race was $23.20.
The New York Sire Stakes season continues next Wednesday evening, August 18, when the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings head to Western New York.
Live Racing will continue this Friday and Saturday evenings with a 6:40 p.m. first-race post time.
(Batavia)