There's a lot of hope and promise on Wednesday night (July 1) at Buffalo Raceway, as many two-year-old filly pacers are scheduled to kick off their careers in three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes, each of which will carry a purse of $36,566.
Of the 21 filly pacers entered, only four have had a pari-mutuel start. The remaining 17 have had a couple of 'baby' races or qualifiers, but that's it. With the hours of preparation in getting them to the races now completed, it's time for the ‘ladies’ to strut their stuff. And for those who are successful, they will find a large paycheque awaiting them at the finish line, along with some happy owners, trainers and drivers.
The NYSS will go off as the second, third and fifth races on the solid 12-dash program that is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m.
With nine records either broken or tied at Buffalo Raceway this season, the freshmen fillies will be taking dead aim on 1:56.3 standard set in 2011 by Silk Purse and tied in 2012 by Summertime Lea.
The sire Roll With Joe has nine offspring entered in the stakes event, while Art Major follows with five, Rock N Roll Heaven with four and American Ideal with three.
The first event features a field of six starters that do not have a pari-mutuel start between them. Gotmyredressontnit has received the early nod at 5-2 after having put in a 1:55.3 clocking in a baby race at Pocono Downs over a ‘sloppy’ track on June 19. Jason Bartlett has gotten the call aboard the Janice Connor-trained Gotmyredressontnit (Roll With Joe-Western Top Cat) and will start from Post 6.
Rockin Date, a $47,000 purchase from the Lexington Sale last year, is the second choice at 3-1 with NYSS leading driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike. Starting from the five hole, Rockin Date (Art Major-Rockin Beauty) is trained by Ron Burke and finished in fourth place behind Gotmyredressontnit in her last prep. Morrill has 13 victories this season on the NYSS circuit and nearly $450,000 in purse earnings.
The second leg is a wide open affair with a field of seven heading to the post. Angels Rockn Pink is the 3-1 morning line choice with John MacDonald to be in the sulky. Arriving from Vernon Downs for trainer Homer Hostetler, Angels Rockn Pink was impressive in winning her two qualifiers at Vernon. She last won by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.4 back on June 19.
Soft Idea, a $70,000 purchase at the Lexington sale, has drawn Post 6 for trainer Linda Toscano and driver Scott Zeron. Soft Idea (American Ideal-Walk Softly) was clocked in 1:58.4 in her last tune up and won by two and a half lengths.
Buffalo Raceway's leading driver, Kevin Cummings, has gotten the call on Vino And Formaggio off the rail. Sitting at 4-1 on the morning line, Vino And Formaggio (Art Major-Pasta LaVista) has gone wire-to-wire in her two qualifying victories at the Meadows.
The final division features Encore Deo, a $100,000 buy at Lexington. The Burke-trained Encore Deo, coupled with Dime A Dance (Roll With Joe-Hat Dance), will start from Post 5 and will have the driving services of Cummings. Encore Deo (Rock N Roll Heaven-Docdor Cameo) hopes to start earning her keep and begin what could be a solid career.
The main danger to the Burke entry could be Ghost Runner (Art Major-Spirit Of The West). She will start from Post 1 for trainer/driver Tom Jackson and is the 5-1 second early pick. She finished sixth at Pocono Downs in 1:55.1 in her last appearance.
The card also will feature a pair of Excelsior 'A' Series races and a race in the Excelsior 'B' Series.
Also on tap on the solid card includes the $10,500 Open Trot, the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace, and the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Open II Pace.
(Buffalo Raceway)