Four $12,200 New York-bred late closers for juvenile pacing fillies were held Wednesday, September 14 at Batavia Downs, but only two reinsmen made it to the winner's circle.
Getting some class relief was all Cheer My Dear (by Bettors Delight and out of My Fave Wave) needed when she started off the late-closer action. She cruised to a six and a half-length tally in 2:00 for driver Jim Marohn, Jr. and trainer Linda Toscano. Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Camelot Stable Inc. own the filly who scored her first career win after facing NY Sire Stakes fillies in her first four career starts. Powerful Love and Southwind Missouri finished farther back in second and third, respectively.
It was bombs away in the second division when reinsman John Stark, Jr. guided 28-1 longshot Major Issue to the upset win. Stark gave the Art Major–Carolache filly the perfect steer when they sat the two-hole and exploded down the lane to break her maiden in 2:00.1 for trainer Sam Schillaci and owner Thomas McTygue. Miracle Lynn was a length back in second while Joya Fra wound up third.
Jim Marohn, Jr. doubled up when he went gate-to-wire with odds-on favourite Blows Me Away ($2.60). The American Ideal–Arts Reality filly notched her third win of the season in 2:00 for trainer Jim Perry and owners William Heinz and Jack Heinz. Helena’s Hope and Paltrow Blue Chip completed the top three in a field reduced to five because of late scratches.
John Stark, Jr. doubled up in the final late closer of the evening when he was able to give Canamerica the two-hole trip and power away down the lane for a two lengh score in 1:57.3, by far the fastest of the four divisions. Stark trains and co-owns the American Ideal–Canadian Culture freshman. Edmund Smith, Eloise Luchsinger and David Smith also own the late blooming filly. Table Games, who led off the gate, held second while Hepburn Blue Chip managed third.
The New York Sire Stakes season will continue on Saturday, September 17 at Batavia when the two-year-old trotting fillies will be in action in two NYSS events and five NY-bred late closers, which include two non-wagering races.
First-race post time is 6:40 p.m.
(Batavia)