Two-year-old fillies in $116,650 NYSS action

Two-year-old harness racing trotting fillies were in the The New York Sire Stakes spotlight at Saratoga Raceway Friday (July 8) with three divisions competing for total purses of $116,650.

The 5^th race $39,350 first division saw race favorite Crown (Chapter Seven) and driver Brian Sears grind it out first-over against race leader Chapercraz (Trond Smedshammer) and then hold off the pocket-sitting The Strawboss (Jim Devaux) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.1.

CROWN REPLAY

It was the first pari-mutuel win for Crown, who is trained by Marcus Melander for the S R F Stable of Florida. She paid $2.50 to win.

In the 6^th race $38,650 second NYSS division, The Gruffalo (Chapter Seven) and driver Jeff Gregory was able to sit a pocket seat and come on in the stretch to win by a half-length in 1:58.2. It was a big upset victory as The Gruffalo went off at odds of 16-1 and paid $34.60 to win.

Second place went to the pacesetter, Useyourlovetonight and driver Aaron Byron with Kennebago (Brian Sears) third.

THE GRUFFALO REPLAY

It was the first pari-mutuel start for The Gruffalo, who is trained and co-owned by Mark Harner with the Racing Team of America, Deena Frost and Emma Pettersson.

The third division raced for a purse of $38,650 and saw Met Your Request (Met’s Hall) and driver Andy Miller go to the early lead, fight off a tough first-over Kilgore S (Brian Sears) and then trot away to a two-length triumph in 1:58.2. Jax Spratt (Wally Hennessey was second with Kilgore S third.

MET YOUR REQUEST REPLAY

Trained by Julie Miller, it was Me Your Request’s second win in three starts and a lifetime mark. She is owned by the Andy Miller Stable and Caroll Huffman and paid $9.20 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink