Fifteen races kicked off the weekend card at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Saturday evening (June 10) with three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for three-year-old filly pacers contested.
Earthwindfire 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 and Rock My Socks led the field to an opening panel in :28. Driver Jack Pelling pulled the right line to advance first over with Eartwindfire 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.
The daughter of American Ideal and the Bettors Delight mare Road Bet is owned by Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Tulip Racing. The win was her sixth in 12 starts.
Jack and Brett Pelling teamed with Southwind Bella for a second victory in the $55,000 NYSS division. The Huntsville-Southwind Solara daughter 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 finished second and Dame third.
Thaddeus Wier owns Southwind Bella, who earned her fifth win in nine starts.
Turn On The Charm and trainer Bruce Clarke took home the winner’s share of the $56,000 purse in the third NYSS division. True Blue Hanover had the lead through the quarter in :28 as Turn On The Charm was parked on the outside. Driver Marcus Miller and the Clarke trainee took over and never looked back through panels in :58.3 and 1:28.1 in progress to a half-length score in 1:56.2. True Blue Hanover was second and B On The Hunt finished third.
Megan Beauchamp and John Coffey co-own the Huntsville-Charming Hill daughter. The win was her sixth in 12 starts.
Three $20,000 NYSS Excelsior divisions were featured on the undercard as At The Hop (driven by Wally Hennessey, 1:55.2 winning mile), 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/Winners Over Pace, it came down to the wire as the field fanned across the track in the stretch. Six Degrees, 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. Lanjo Lee was second and Nuttin But Finesse was third.
Christopher Dubois trains Six Degrees for Morrison Racing Stables. The upset winner paid $43.80 to win. Matty Athearn sat in the sulky.
Racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel resumes Sunday afternoon with a first post of 12 p.m. (EDT).
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)