Vernon Downs played host to three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies on Friday evening.
Hidden Cove (Marcus Miller) captured the $34,866 first division in 1:52.4.
Cash Roll (Jim Morrill, Jr.) went to the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :27.2. Hidden Cove ($9.20) took over the lead as they went around the first turn. She led to the half in :57.3. As they headed for the final turn JK Finendandy came first-over and battled Hidden Cove all around the turn. Hidden Cove led to three-quarters in 1:25.4.
Hidden Cove, who is owned by trainer Erv Miller, George Golemes, D R Van Witzenburg, and Louis Willinger, led as they made the turn for home. Second place finisher JK Finendandy gave one last run at Hidden Cove but Hidden Cove dug in and won in a lifetime best of 1:52.4. Fashion Hill (Tyler Buter) came charging late to finish third.
Hidden Cove is a two-year-old filly by American Ideal-Sun N Sand. It was her second win in eight career starts.
Coconut Beach (Markus Miller) was an upset winner in the $34,866 second division.
Hen Party (Matt Kakaley) went straight to the lead hitting the first quarter in :27.1. She hit the half first in :56.4. Tipperary Hill (John MacDonald) pressured her around the last turn. Hen Party still led to three-quarters in 1:25.4.
Coconut Beach ($45.80), who is owned by Happy Hour Racing and trained by Erv Miller, sat patiently in the pocket. She pulled out of the pocket in mid-stretch and blew right by to win her first career race in 1:54. Roll With Angel (Scott Zeron) came up to finish second. Han Party held on to finish third.
Coconut Beach is a two-year-old filly by Art Major-Gold Beach. Trainer Erv Miller and driver Marcus Miller combined to win two of the three division of the NYSS.
Merga Hanover (Matt Kakaley) captured the $35,566 third division.
The Fun Marshall (Scott Zeron) took them to a first quarter of :27.1. Merga Hanover ($2.90) used a brush to go from fourth to first. She led to the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Merga Hanover, who is trained by Ron Burke for owners Joe Sbrocco, W J Donovan, Thomas and Scott Dillon, led as they made the turn for home. The Fun Marshall went all out in the stretch but Merga Hanover was too strong as she won in a career best of 1:53.1. The Fun Marshall had to settle for second money with Bolt Of Beauty (Marcus Miller) finishing third.
Merga Hanover is a two-year-old filly by American Ideal-Magic Starlight. It was her sixth win in seven career starts.
Matt Kakaley drove four winners on the night. His other wins came with Cloud Nine Fashion ($3.20), Lookatmyart ($3.80) and Dee Dee Kay ($4.10).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday with an 11 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.
(Vernon Downs)