Driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Ron Burke combined to win two of the three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for freshman pacing fillies on Friday night (August 4) at Tioga Downs, with Youaremycandygirl ($3.80) setting a track record in the first event.
The $37,266 opening division looked like an exciting two-horse race on paper and it didn't disappoint. Hurrikane Shorty (Jim Marohn Jr.) took the quick lead and hit the first quarter in :28.3. Youaremycandygirl (Matt Kakaley) then charged up and took over as they went by the stands for the first time. The American Ideal-Sweet Lady Jane filly, who is owned by W. J. Donovan and trained by Burke, controlled all the late fractions of :56, 1:23.1 and 1:52. As they got to the stretch, Hurrikane Shorty took a run at it, drawing even in mid-stretch, but Youaremycandygirl battled back and set the track record for two-year-old fillies at Tioga Downs. It was her second straight win. Michelles Jazz (Tom Jackson) finished third.
In the second division, Twin B Peaches (Jody Jamieson) took the field to the first quarter in :26.4. The favourite, All On Top Hanover (Marcus Miller), then took over and lead all the way to the top of the stretch, setting middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:23.2. Lets Fall In Love (Matt Kakaley) was sixth at the top of the stretch, but she looked like she was shot out of a cannon and blew right by. The same team was victorious again as the owner was Donovan and the trainer was Burke. Lets Fall In Love paced her maiden-breaking mile in 1:53.1 and paid $32.20 to win. Python Blue Chip (Jim Marohn Jr.) came up to finish second while All On Top Hanover hung on for third.
The third division went to the undefeated Ontario-campaigned filly Alexis Faith ($3) and driver Jim Morrill Jr. After Ubettergo Go (Jody Jamieson) led to the first quarter in :27.2, Alexis Faith forged to the front. Owned by West Wins Stable, Jim Fielding, J. Robert Darrow, Kevin McKinlay and trained by Casie Coleman, the American Ideal-Cannae Cammie filly never relinquished the lead from that point on. After carving out middle splits of :55.1 and 1:24.2, she won for the fourth time in four starts in a lifetime-best effort of 1:53.1. Ubettergo Go followed in the pocket the whole way and tried a late charge but fell short to finish second. Betterthangraduate (Matt Kakaley) came on late to finish third.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (August 5) with a 10-race card starting at 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)