There will be $110,200 up for grabs in the two-year-old pacing filly division of the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (August 20), but it’s being competed for all in one race.
In a rare instance, only eight of the 43 two-year-old pacing fillies that have started in NYSS competition this year have entered the top level this week, and they will head postward for Race 4.
The $110,200 one-race payoff is one of the most lucrative purses ever offered at Batavia Downs behind the all-time record of $286,756 that was distributed in the 1988 Breeders Crown.
Robin J (Roll With Joe-Mommy Robin Q) has been made the prohibitive 8-5 morning line choice on the strength of four wins in five lifetime starts and all were in stakes competitions. Last week, Robin J went wire to wire in the Geers Stakes at Tioga Downs and registered the victory in 1:54, with a last quarter in an eye-popping :26.3, and in doing so set a new lifetime mark. She can race on the point or off the pace and that makes her a double threat.
Jim Marohn Jr. will make an infrequent appearance at Batavia Downs to drive Robin J for trainer Linda Toscano and will start from Post 2.
Challenging will be Artrageous (Art Major-In Deep Thought) who is a two-time winner this year, most recently in NYSS action at Saratoga Raceway where she won cutting the mile in 1:55.4, her career best. It’s interesting to note that Artrageous defeated Robin J in that contest. The filly was race-timed in 1:52.4 at Vernon Downs last week in a third-place finish and hasn’t been off the board this year in five tries.
Jim Morrill Jr. will take the reins for trainer Andrew Stafford and will depart the gate from Post 1.
Pleasant Roll (Roll With Joe-Pleasant But Bad) has only one win this year, but has shown tremendous growth over her last two starts. After having dropped down to the Excelsior ‘A’ level two weeks ago, Pleasant Roll destroyed her field and won by six lengths in a lifetime best 1:53.3. She then followed that effort up with a second-place finish in 1:53 in the Geers Stakes at Tioga after having been parked out for a good part of the mile. Her division time and her personal clocking of 1:53.3 were both faster than Robin J’s race that day.
Chris Lems will be in the bike for trainer Julie Miller and will start from Post 5.
There are also four $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior ‘A’ Series on the card and they will provide some outstanding wagering opportunities.
The first division (Race 2) will feature Megyn K (American Ideal-Fantasy Jet), who has been listed as the 2-1 morning line choice from Post 5 for driver Jim Morrill Jr. and trainer Jean Drolet.
The second division (Race 3) will feature the Blake Macintosh-trained entry of Takeyourbreathaway (Rock N Roll Heaven-Leave Em Gasping) with Billy Davis Jr. aboard from Post 2 and Clear Idea (American Ideal-Glass Maker) with Drew Monti at the lines from Post 8, pegged as the 5-2 handicapper’s selection.
The third division (Race 6) will feature trainer Tony Alagna’s Ann Hill (Rock N Roll Heaven-Taxi Fare Hanover), who has been listed at 5-2 for driver Chris Lems, who will start from Post 5.
And the final division (Race 7) has seen Opaline Blue Chip named the 5-2 early favourite for trainer Richard Ringler and local driving favourite Kevin Cummings, who will start from Post 5.
Post time for the first race is 6:15 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)