Saratoga NYSS sweep by McNair and Bako

Harness racing trainer Jared Bako and driver Doug Mcnair came to town and swept both halves of the co-featured New York Sire Stakes two-year-old filly pacer races contested on Thursday evening (Aug. 1) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The heavily backed Cowgirl Hanover (Huntsville-Code One Hanover-Sportswriter) has been a complete force since kicking off her career back in June and carried a record of four-for-four with her into Thursday’s try in the $74,500 Sire Stakes event.

Cowgirl Hanover was patient in the early going before Mcnair cut her loose past the half. Although the leader Chanceoflightning (Wally Hennessey) continued to pace on with authority, her attempt at holding off the big favorite was futile as the Bako trainee dazzled through a third quarter of 27.4 en route to a 1:54.2 score that came by a margin of two and a half lengths.

Chanceoflightning (Wally Hennessey) finished second to the big favorite while Shes A Streaker (Jordan Stratton) earned the show spot.

COWGIRL HANOVER REPLAY

Bako and Mcnair went two-for-two as a tandem on Thursday when their The Last Martini (Huntsville-Martinique-Rock N Roll Heaven) sprung a mild upset in her $73,100 Sire Stakes race.

Mcnair situated The Last Martini into the pocket in the early going to ride the coattails of the heavily favored Send It Down Slim (Mark Macdonald). The 1-9 favorite carved out the fractions for the freshman fillies and had her way on the front-end before being confronted around the final turn by The Last Martini who wound up getting the last laugh cruising by in the stretch to score in 1:54.1 for the Bako-Mcnair double.

The Last Martini paid $12.80 to win in the slight upset of the big favorite Send It Down Slim who finished a solid second. Lonely Ghost (Jordan Stratton) was third.

THE LAST MARTINI REPLAY

Live racing continues on Friday evening at Saratoga with action beginning at 5pm.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway