By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
(Photo of Vivians Dream by Geri Schwarz)
Batavia, NY — First year pacing fillies will be on hand Wednesday evening (Aug. 10) when the New York Sire Stakes reconvene at Batavia Downs to disperse $104,000 in prize money among the 11 contestants who will compete in two divisions that are carded as race four and seven.
The heavyweight match-up comes in the six-horse, $52,500 split where Vivians Dream and Hunting Season will square off in what looks to be a great race.
Vivians Dream (American Ideal-Sports Chic) is currently the third highest money winning 2-year-old pacing filly in North America and has the seventh fastest win time for that category as well. Having competed exclusively in the NYSS, she is also the top points (225) and money ($125,375) earner in her class for that series. She was a perfect four for four going into last week’s event at Yonkers Raceway where she was narrowly defeated by Earthwindfire in 1:54 with a brisk :27.2 final panel. Earthwindfire is not entered this week and Vivians Dream looks to get back to her winning ways from post three with Jordan Stratton up for trainer Cory Mumford.
Hunting Season (Huntsvile-That’s How We Roll) is right behind Vivians Dream in the NYSS with 150 points and $90,350 banked. She has three wins and two seconds in her six lifetime starts and was beaten by Vivians Dream in their only head to head competition. However, coming off her lifetime best effort at Yonkers last week, Hunting Season will certainly be up to the task here. Western New York native trainer Ray Schnittker has Mark Macdonald in the bike as usual and they will depart from post four for this race.
Rock My Socks (Boston Red Rocks-Kattimon) has finished a close second in her last two and has the versatility to position herself well regardless of how the race unfolds. Lady Jericho (Dude’s The Man-Taylorlane Diva) makes the jump from Excel “A” to the top class, but she has done stellar work at the lower level and comes in off a lifetime mark.
Jason Bartlett will drive Rock My Socks for trainer Jake Leamon from post five and Drew Monti will team Lady Jericho from post two for trainer John Berger.
The other division goes for $51,500 and is a wide open affair as only one of the five entrants has won a NYSS race so far this year.
Doing Marvelous (Bolt The Duer-Marvalous Joy) won her first NYSS race at Buffalo in June but after finishing seventh the following week, dropped to the Excel “A” level for her last three starts. That was a good move because after two wins and a third, including a lifetime mark of 1:54.1 at Tioga Downs, she has regained her confidence and now moves back to the top level of competition. Stratton and Mumford team up again from post five and should have the target on their back.
Dame (Dude’s The Man-Seat By The Window) has finished close behind Vivians Dream, Hunting Season and Earthwindfire in her last three starts and now gets away from all three while also drawing post one. There is a lot to like about both those facts because she acquitted herself well in those previous outings and now has the chance to stand in the spotlight herself. Trainer Kelly Hastings has Luke Hanners up to drive.
Team Colors (American Ideal-Sir Jillian Z Tam) and Alabama Hannah (Huntsville-Upfrontandpersonal) have both shown some good closing speed and with a short field here, could benefit as a result. They too are getting some class relief just like Dame and will definitely make things interesting coming home.
Team Colors will be driven by Drew Monti from post two for trainer Mark Harder and Alabama Hannah has Jason Bartlett aboard for trainer Mike Deters.
There are also two $15,000 Excel “A” races that will go in race two and five. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. Free full past performance programs can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab