There will be a total of 14 juvenile pacing fillies on hand at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (September 8) to compete a pair of $54,500 New York Sire Stakes races.
The first division (Race 3) offers Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) as the early choice to get the job done. Alexis Faith had won five in a row until last week when she suffered her first defeat of the year to Youaremycandygirl in NYSS action at Yonkers Raceway. She set her lifetime mark of 1:53.1 at Tioga Downs last month and is the highest purse earner of her Friday division with $96,145 in the bank. Alexis Faith is also third in the points standing for the final, which will take place at the end of the month.
Trainer Casie Coleman has called on Jim Morrill Jr. to be in the bike, and the duo has been assessed as the 9-5 track oddsmaker’s selection from Post 3.
Azreal As It Gets (So Surreal-Vanite Semlu) could also be in the hunt. The filly is winless this yea, but has raced well each week in defeat. She was race-timed in 1:52.4 at Tioga Downs last month, and more recently recorded back-to-back third-place finishes at Yonkers, both of which featured solid closing quarters.
Matt Kakaley will drive for trainer Jake Huff, and the duo will depart from Post 1 at 5-2.
The next division (Race 4) features co-favorites Jan and Hurrikane Shorty.
Jan (Rock N Roll Heaven-Armbro Savannah) has come late to the NYSS party, as she will make her first start in the series on Friday. Having raced exclusively at Mohawk Racetrack this year, Jan just completed a sweep of the Whenuwishuponastar Series, in which she won both her eliminations and the final in a lifetime-best 1:51.4.
Trainer Dr. Ian Moore has assigned Jim Morrill Jr. to drive Jan. The duo will start from Post 6 and has been listed at odds of 8-5.
Hurrikane Shorty (Art Major-Speed Date) is the current top point-getter and top money winner in the NYSS for her age, sex and gait. She is also the top money winner in the second division with $107,565 on her card. Hurrikane Shorty won her first lifetime start in 1:52.3 at the Meadowlands in June and that remains her life’s best timing. The filly has never been worse than second in her career.
Jason Bartlett will be on board for trainer Kevin McDermott. The duo will start from Post 3 and has been rated at 9-5 on the morning line.
There are also three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior ‘A’ series on the card that will head postward as Race 6, 7 and 8.
Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)