NYSS for three-year-old filly pacers contested

Fifteen races kicked off the weekend card at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday (June 10) evening with three harness racing divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old filly pacers contested.

Earthwindfire (American Ideal) and driver Jack Pelling posted the fastest time of the NYSS divisions, winning the $56,000 purse by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53.3. The Brett Pelling trainee got away third as Hunting Season (Mark MacDonald) and Rock My Socks (Wally Hennessey) led the field to an opening panel in :28. Jack Pelling pulled the right line on a first over advance through the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:25.4. Down the stretch, Earthwindfire took over command as she breezed through the wire. Rock My Socks was second and Hunting Season finished third.

EARTHWINDFIRE REPLAY

The daughter of American Ideal and the Bettors Delight mare Road Bet is owned by Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Tulip Racing. It was her sixth win in 12 starts.

Jack and Brett Pelling teamed up with Southwind Bella (Huntsville-Southwind Solara) for a second victory in the $55,000 NYSS division.

She was second through the quarter in :27.1 before taking control before the half in :57.1. She continued through the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and to a three-length victory in 1:54.2. Linemup Knockmback (Jim Marohn Jr.) finished second and Dame (Marcus Miller) third.

Thaddeus Wier owns Southwind Bella for her fifth win in nine starts.

SOUTHWIND BELLA REPLAY

Turn On The Charm (Huntsville) with driver Marcus Miller and trainer Bruce Clarke took home the winner’s share of the $56,000 purse in the third NYSS division. True Blue Hanover (Wally Hennessey) had the lead through the quarter in :28 as Turn On The Charm was parked on the outside. Miller and the Clarke trainee took over and never looked back through panels in :58.3 and 1:28.1 en route to a half length score in 1:56.2. True Blue Hanover was second and B On The Hunt (Brett Beckwith) finished third.

TURN ON THE CHARM REPLAY

Megan Beauchamp and John Coffey co-own the Huntsville-Charming Hill daughter. It was her sixth win in 12 starts.

Three $20,000 NYSS Excelsior divisions were featured on the undercard as At The Hop (Wally Hennessey, 1:55.2), Celia B Money (Mark MacDonald, 1:55.1), and Silky Stride (Jack Pelling, 1:55.4) took the titles in their respective races.

In the $17,000 Open Handicap/Winner’s Over Pace, it came down to the wire as the field fanned across the track in the stretch. Six Degrees (Matthew Athearn), who was second through the quarter in :27.2 and half in :57 then third at the three-quarters in 1:24.2, stuck his nose out to win in 1:53.0. Lanjo Lee (Chris Long) was second and Nuttin But Finesse (Leon Bailey) was third.

Christopher Dubois trains Six Degrees for Morrison Racing Stables. The upset winner paid $43.80 to win.

Racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel resumes Sunday (June 11) afternoon with a first post of 12 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jessica Hallet, for Saratoga Raceway