Fillies to start career in NYSS at Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. –— It has to start somewhere and that somewhere will be at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (June 19) as eight of the nine filly pacers entered in the pair of $51,000 (approx.) divisions of the New York Sire Stakes will be launching their harness racing careers.

The two rich events will open the 13-race program that begins at 2:30 p.m. A field of four will go in the first race while five ladies will head to the gate to complete the early daily double in the second race.

Huntsville will send six offspring to the NYSS competition while Courtly Choice, Boston Red Rocks and American Ideal all have one.

Americanbeachdream (American Ideal-Preakness) is the lone starter in the NYSS fields with a race under her belt, that being a head victory on June 11 in 2:00.0 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. For all the rest, it’s a new beginning but with five or less in the two legs of the competition, all will walk away with a check.

The first race features four as Calamity Hour (Huntsville-Also Encouraging) arrives undefeated in her two qualifiers at Pocono Downs. The Deborah Daguet trainee will start from the two post with Jason Bartlett scheduled to drive.

Chanceoflightning (Courtly Choice-Admirals Chance) drew the rail for driver Jordan Stratton. She showed good closing kicks in both of her narrow second place finishes in her Pocono qualifiers and should love the long Buffalo Raceway home stretch.

Send It Down Slim (Huntsville-Rockinsangria) took a prep race win at Saratoga Raceway in 1:59.3 on June 11. Mark MacDonald is expected to steer her for trainer Ray Schnittker.

The other entrant is Commonwealth Ave (Boston Red Rocks-Delightful Play) who had one qualifier at Vernon Downs.

The second division has the so-called veteran in Americanbeachdream who has already tasted victory. The other four participants had at least one try over the Pocono Downs course with Cowgirl Hanover (Huntsville-Code One Hanover) going a perfect 2-for-2 while

Martini Star coasted to a 3-1/4 length score in 1:57.0

Others in the second bracket include Cervi (Huntsville-Limestone Cowgirl) and Backdoor Cover (Huntsville-Ghosttothepost).

There will be three $20,000 divisions of the Excelsior Series for the 2-year-old filly pacers and all 18 will be making their debuts.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway