Filly maintaining perfection highlights shortened card

Manitoba-bred Filly remained undefeated in her harness racing career and won her second straight United States start at Yonkers Raceway on Wednesday before the track canceled the remainder of its card.

Filly fired from post seven, cutting through the heavy rain and sweeping to the front on the first turn. She churned out :29, :59.1, and 1:29 fractions for driver Joe Bongiorno over the muddy surface and outsprinted her five opponents to the finish, winning in 1:58. Ideal Chip (Jordan Stratton) grabbed the place spot after following Filly from the pocket throughout. Your Momma (Tyler Buter) sustained her first-over bid and finished third.

FILLY REPLAY

Filly, a three-year-old daughter of Blue Burner, is now perfect through six starts. Trevor Williams bred and trained the filly to four consecutive wins to start her career at Miami Fair, including a resounding victory in the Lady Crocus. Williams sold her to Joshua Graber of Quincy in August, and the new owner appointed Jennifer Bongiorno as the trainer. Filly won her United States debut on Aug. 25 in 1:54.3.

Filly’s race was the last before Yonkers Raceway ended its card due to the driving downpour. Three races went postward at the Hilltop. Big Box Hanover, a four-year-old Shane Tritton-trained Uncle Peter gelding surpassed $300,000 in career earnings with a win in the second race. It was the horse’s 55th lifetime start and 22nd win.

Racing will resume at 7:15 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sep. 2. The 12-dash program features a $45,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink