The two-year-old trotting fillies of the New York Sire Stakes set trekked to Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night for two $70,300 divisions, and it would be Valentina Blu and Joviality S, both exiting the Jim Doherty Memorial at the Meadowlands, who were victorious.
Gertrude (Andy Miller) led her five rivals through fractions of 29, 59.3, and 1:29.3 in the first split, but Valentina Blu (Andrew McCarthy) went first-over out of third and moved up into second at three-quarters. Gertrude was able to keep the top spot around the far turn and into the lane, but Valentina Blu hit top stride late in the mile and got up in time to win by a head in 1:58.1. Seven On The Rocks (John Stark Jr.) was the third-place finisher.
Valentina Blu, a daughter of Chapter Seven, is trained by Tony Alagna for owner Crawford Farms Racing. She broke her maiden in her fifth chance, and she has now earned $70,291. Bred by Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard Holdings USA, Valentina Blu is out of the Muscle Hill mare Corazon Blue Chip, making her a full sister to former Dan Patch Award winner Fourth Dimension (1:52.4, $409,195). Racing as part of an Alagna-trained/Crawford Farms Racing-owned entry that was sent off at 1-2, Valentina Blu paid $3.10 to win.
In the other flight, Joviality S (Brian Sears) sped straight to the lead from post six and posted panels of 30.2, 1:00.1, and 1:29.4. Pocket-sitter Little Pink Lies (Ake Svanstedt) was the only filly able to hang with Joviality S, and Svanstedt angled her to the outside to take a chance at the pace-setter in the lane. Little Pink Lies did make some headway, but it wasn’t enough, as Joviality S responded when shown the whip by Sears to hold sway by a length in 1:58.1. Gettinmystepsin (Miller) overcame an early break to come in third.
Another Chapter Seven filly, Joviality S is trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc. Bred by Courant's breeding operation, AM Bloodstock Inc, Joviality S, who has a record of 3-1-0 from five starts and $99,423 banked, is the first foal out of the Muscle Hill mare Pasithea Face S ($579,565, 1:50 4/5). Civility S was the 1-9 favourite and returned $2.30 to win.
Adjure Hanover, a daughter of Chapter Seven-Anonyme Hanover driven by Andy Miller for trainer Julie Miller, won the faster of two $15,000 Excelsior “A” Series races, stopping the clock in 2:00.4. Andy also co-owns the Hanover Shoe Farms-bred with partners Michael Anderson and Lou Willinger.
The other Excelsior “A” Series test went to Rheia Rose, an E L Titan-She’s Nutz filly bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc, in 2:01.4 for driver Tyler Buter, co-owner/trainer Erv Miller, and co-owners Joe Faraldo, George Golemes and Chris Wittstruck.
One $6,600 Excelsior “B” Series event also took place, and it went to Hallway Babe, a daughter of Conway Hall-Barn Babe, in 2:05.1 for trainer-driver Tom Corelli and owner Theologos Moutafis. Hallway Babe was bred by Steve and Nancy Pratt.
New York Sire Stakes action at Yonkers Raceway continues on Tuesday, August 24, as two-year-old colt and gelding pacers meet in the first two dashes on the 12-race program. Post time is 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers)