Two of the five richest three-year-old trotting fillies in North America will be at Batavia Downs on Saturday (August 22) to compete in a New York Sires Stakes stop.
The two fillies in question are also the top point-getters and money earners in the NYSS this season for their sex and gait.
Barn Doll (Conway Hall-Headintheclouds) currently ranks third for money earned in 2015 behind only Mission Brief (who finished second in the Hambletonian) and Wild Honey. She also ranks third for most wins by her sex and gait.
Barn Doll has four wins and two seconds in the state series along with wins in both the elimination and final of the $248,275 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in June where she trotted back-to-back 1:52.1 miles. Jeff Gregory, who grew up just a short drive from Batavia, will head home to steer the Steve Pratt-trained filly that will start from Post 5 in Race 4. The duo is the 4-5 morning line favourite.
The other NYSS division (Race 3) will feature Jewels In Hock (Credit Winner-Jewels Galore), who is currently fifth in North America in earnings for her sex and gait (she is also second in the state behind Barn Doll in terms of points and purse earnings).
Jewels In Hock heads into Batavia on a roll, as she has won four out of her last five starts, including three NYSS events. Her seasonal mark of 1:53.3 was taken earlier this year at the Meadowlands Racetrack. She has earned $190,350 on the strength of her seven victories. Chris Lems will be in the race bike this week for trainer Linda Toscano. Jewels In Hock will start from Post 2 and is the 7-5 favourite on the morning line.
The program will also feature two $15,000 divisions of the NYSS Excelsior Series (carded as Race 1 and 2) and a $9,500 Open Pace.
Batavia’s Saturday card will kick off with a 6:35 p.m. first-race post time.
(With files from Batavia)