Splash Blue Chip proved fastest of all in Wednesday afternoon's (July 8) New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
After posting a :26.4 final quarter in her lone qualifier at The Meadowlands, the daughter of E L Titan and Dunk The Donato debuted with a front-trotting victory. In line to trainer Åke Svanstedt, Splash Blue Chip was tested by Iteration (Brian Sears) and Tranquility K (Larry Stalbaum), but remained strong to score in 1:58.4 for Åke Svanstedt Inc. and Mellby Gard Inc.
Imbossible rallied impressively to win her Sire Stakes division in 1:59.2 for trainer Marcus Melander and Courant Inc. The daughter of Chapter Seven and Lavendar Fields gave driver Brian Sears one of three wins on the afternoon program.
Destined To Dance and Contested Hanover, both daughters of Chapter Seven, went coast to coast to prevail in their respective divisions.
Destined To Dance, who finished third in her June 26 career debut at Harrah's Philadelphia, won decisively in 1:59.4 in line to Tyler Buter for trainer John Butenschoen and the partnership of Richard Preziotti, Heritage Standardbreds and Crawford Farms Racing. Despite only returning $9.60 to win, Contested Hanover became the longest shot among the stakes winners after drawing off from mild pressure for a 2:00.1 score. Scott Zeron drove for FTM Racing Stable and trainer George Ducharme.
Live racing at Saratoga continues on Thursday (July 9), with post time at 12 noon.
(with files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)