Trained and driven by Jimmy Takter, Shaqline equalled the track record for two-year-old trotting fillies on Wednesday as Monticello Raceway hosted three New York Sire Stakes divisions carrying purses ranging from $36,567 to $37,267.
Shaqline front-stepped her way to a 1:59.2 career-best victory for Takter. Leaving from the inside post position, she forced Nunkeri into the pocket and set fractions of :29.2, 1:00.4 and 1:30.3 before drawing off by three lengths with a :28.4 final kicker. Nunkeri stayed for second and Dancewithme Chuck finished third.
The winning time matched the record set by Lady Riviera and Ron Pierce in a NYSS leg in July 2012.
The Credit Winner-Vivica Hall filly is a full-sister to Shaq Is Back, a two-time NYSS Championship runner-up, and was purchased for $120,000 at the Lexington Select Sale as a yearling by Brixton Medical Ab. She now has two wins, one second and one third in four NYSS starts for earnings of $52,764.
The other divisions were won by Kaliska and Concentration.
Kaliska (Credit Winner-Armbro Vivian) earned her second NYSS victory in a new lifetime mark of 2:00 for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker, who also shares ownership with Thomas Spatorico, Pepin Stable and Fam Alber Horse Racing LLC. She held off Duolectra by a neck, with favourite Pig Hunt finishing less than a length back in third.
Raymond Campbell Jr.'s Concentration (Conway Hall-Super Starlet) picked up her fourth NYSS victory in eight legs with a 2:00.1 winning effort. With Chris Lems driving for trainer George Ducharme, she prevailed by one and a quarter length over Summer Scent. Third prize went to Summers Windsong, who trailed three and half lengths behind.