On Sunday, a new Buffalo Raceway track record for three-year-old filly trotters was set when Glowngold covered the mile in 1:59, breaking of the old standard of 1:59.1 registered by Brandnewgirlfriend in 2009.
It's now time for the three-year-old filly pacers to take aim at the record book, as the New York Sire Stakes returns to Buffalo Raceway highlighting Wednesday night's 13-race program that is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. They'll be aiming at the standard of 1:55 established by New Album in 2011.
There will be a pair of $60,200 NYSS divisions, and as expected, Jim Morrill Jr. and his rides are expected to be the ones to catch in both legs.
Morrill, a former regular at Buffalo, drove both Glowngold and Market Rally to victories in Sunday's NYSS events, and by the looks of things, he could sweep both on Wednesday. He'll be aboard Blush Hanover in the first division (Race 2) and Expose in the second leg (Race 5).
Blush Hanover (Art Major-Brissonte Hanover) didn't race as a two-year-old, but has started her career with a bang in 2014 by finishing no worse than second in all six of her starts. She began the year by stringing together three consecutive victories, but now has finished in the ‘place’ position straight three times, losing by a combined margin of only two and a half lengths. Blush Hanover, trained by Linda Toscano, will score from the five post and is the 3-1 morning line choice.
Just Add Vodka is also in the division and is fresh off a 1:55.3 victory at Monticello Raceway on June 6 in NYSS action. With $61,248 in the bank lifetime, Just Add Vodka (Art Major-Regal Wish) will start from the seven post with Kevin Cummings in the sulky. She is trained by Julie Miller.
The second division has Morrill, the leading driver currently on the NYSS circuit, on Expose. She's been in the money in eight of her 11 races this year and has a 1:56.3 mark already over a half-mile track, that coming at Yonkers Raceway. Expose (Artiscape-Good News Lady) has been saddled with tough post positions her last three starts and should enjoy Post 4 at Buffalo.
Spreester (Jim McNeight) gets the six spot on the starting grid and arrives on a two-race win streak. She captured an Excelsior Series ‘A’ race at Vernon Downs on May 30 in 1:53.2 and then was victorious in the $39,850 NYSS at Monticello on June 6 in 1:54.1. Spreester has 10 wins from 16 lifetime starts and has banked $89,438 in earnings. Paul Zabielski handles the training duties for owner Kimberly Zabielski.
There is also a Excelsior Series ‘A’ race on the program, along with a pair of Excelsior Series ‘B’ races to go along with the weekly $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)