The Labour Day matinee at Tioga Downs will feature two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing fillies, with Ontario-based horses headlining the divisions.
The first division will feature Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) winner Obvious Blue Chip (Scott Zeron) and EBC elimination winner Tequila Monday (Brett Miller).
Trained by Mark Steacy and owned by NLG Racing Stable and Stephen Klunowski, Obvious Blue Chip is the morning line second choice at 3-1. The three-year-old filly sat fourth for most of the EBC Final before charging late to win. She has four wins on the season so far, including a NYSS win at Buffalo in June.
Tequila Monday (American Ideal) was favoured to win the EBC after her convincing win in the eliminations. She controlled the pace and led all the way through three-quarters before fading in the stretch and finishing eighth. Owned by Northfork Racing Stable with Chuck Pompey and trained by Chris Oakes, she is the morning line favourite in her Monday test at 5-2. She has six wins this season, including a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers in July.
In the second division the morning line favourite is Clear Idea (Mark McDonald) at 2-1. The three-year-old filly by American Ideal finished second in the EBC finals and had won seven straight prior to that loss. Owned by Hutt Racing Stable and trainer Blake Macintosh, she has won nine of her 16 starts this season.
Roaring To Go (Brett Miller) will be the toughest challenger. She almost got to Clear Idea in the EBC eliminations, losing by just a neck before finishing fourth in the EBC final. Owned by Frank Chick and trained by Kevin Lare, she won a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers in July. Roaring To Go (Art Major) is the morning line second choice at 5-2.
The 12-race card is a special Labor day matinee, starting at 1:00 p.m.
(with files from Tioga Downs)