NYSS pacing fillies to battle at Batavia

Batavia, NY — The New York Sire Stakes will make its first stop of 2024 at Batavia Downs on Saturday (July 27) night when a select group of 3-year-old harness racing pacing fillies will line up in two six-horse divisions valued at $58,100 each. This will be the fifth leg of the state series this year for these ladies, and they should be in prime form for some big efforts.

In the first division, Stepabovetherest (Huntsville-Step Beyond) has only made four starts this year, but one of them was a 1:52.3 win in an Excelsior leg at Tioga Downs while another was her career best, 1:49.4 victory at Vernon Downs in the NYSS, where she won by 1-1/2 lengths. She then missed three weeks before her next start, which was a fourth place finish in the NYSS at Saratoga Raceway. She may have been short with the extra time off and could get back to her regular form here.

Stepabovetherest has drawn post three for trainer Nicholas Devita who has regular driver Braxton Boyd aboard for this race.

A Few Choice Words (Courtly Choice-Top Choice Hanover) was a perfect four-for-four in Excelsior action earlier this year, including her lifetime mark of 1:51.4 at Vernon Downs, before moving up to the NYSS in her last start at Saratoga where she won again in 1:54.1. This week she drew a favorable inside post and looks to get win number six of the year.

Moving inside for the first time in three weeks, Jim Marohn Jr. will be in the bike again and begins from post two for trainer Blake Macintosh.

Leanne’s Choice (Courtly Choice-Village Madonna) was winless in three NYSS starts before dropping down to Excelsior action where she got her first win of 2024. She bumped back up to the NYSS level in her last start and put in a brilliant effort, finishing third in a 1:53.2 mile at Saratoga. With the pylon position here, she is definitely a player.

Erv Miller has Marcus Miller between the wheels once again from post one.

In the second split, Peace Talks (American Ideal-Triple V Hanover) is the top money earner for this age and gender in the NYSS so far this year with two wins and four second place finishes in six 2024 starts. One of those wins was a 1:50.4 lifetime best win at Tioga Downs in June. Peace Talks, who was the NYSS 2-year-old filly pacing champion, has come back very strong this year and is looking to defend her title. Early indications are she has a very good shot at doing that.

Starting from mid-pack post four, Jim Marohn Jr. will be up behind the filly for the first time this year for trainer Chris Ryder.

Camerican (American Ideal-Camille) comes into this event on a two-race win streak that includes a victory in the $90,000 Park MGM filly pace final and a seasonal mark of 1:53.2 at Saratoga. Last year, Camerican was a multiple NYSS winner who finished third in that final along with a third place finish in the Breeders Crown behind winner My Girl EJ.

She also took her lifetime mark of 1:50.2 during her first year of racing when she won the International Stallion Stake at the Red Mile. Camerican has already been race timed faster this year in a 1:50.1 mile at Vernon Downs three starts ago where she finished third.

Trainer Ron Burke has assigned Jim Morrill Jr. duty at the lines for this outing, and they will start from post six.

The NYSS races will go as races eight and 10. There are also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card, and they are programmed as races five, six and 11.

Post time for the first race on the season opening card at Batavia Downs is 6 p.m.

by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs