There were four $37,043 New York Sire Stakes races for three-year-old trotting fillies at Buffalo Raceway Sunday afternoon, but only two drivers took home the blankets
. John Stark, Jr., and Brian Mattison each won two races over a glib track that had some moisture in it due to early morning rains. Brandnewgirlfriend’s 1:59.1 clocking in 2009 is safe for another year.
In the first division, trainer-driver John Stark, Jr., put Imageofasweetday (Conway Hall-Sweet Janet) on the lead from post three, and when the big favourite Some Girls (Gates Brunet) got caught with a tough first over trip, Imageofasweetday ($21.60), had things her own way en route to her first Sire Stakes win of the season in 2:01.3.
“She’s really good in the turns, which really helped,” said Stark. “Gates' horse [Some Girls] seemed to be struggling a bit, and through the stretch my horse felt really strong.”
Stell R Time (Jordan Stratton) came in second, while Some Girls held on for third. It was the third lifetime win for Imageofasweetday, and her lifetime earnings now stands at $131,172.
In the second division, Stark came right back to the winner’s circle with Dance Steps (Credit Winner-Dancing Patricia), who won in 2:02.2 for the first time this year. Dance Steps ($25.40) made a strong backside brush to get a lead she would never relinquish. Forza Azzuri (Jordan Stratton) finished two and a half lengths back in second, while River Of Hope (Keith Kash, Jr.) came in third.
The third division saw Miss Sue V (Credit Winner-Sunday Yankee) with Brian Mattison in the bike, win in 2:01 for owners the Kelley Racing Stables and William Weaver. It was the second Sire Stakes win in a row for Miss Sue V ($2.50) who won last week at Yonkers.
“We had a nice and easy trip,” said Mattison. “She was just on cruise control the whole race.”
Second choice in the betting, Epona Blue Chip (Ray Schnittker) finished second, and Dream Ticket (Jack Flanigen) came in third.
The final Sire Stakes race was won by Go Go Dancer (Credit Winner-Princess Gladiator), an $18,000 Harrisburg purchase, who stopped the clock in 2:00.2 for trainer Paul Kelley. Mattison cut all the fractions with Go Go Dancer ($2.80), and a sensational :28.2 last quarter-mile put the winner one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Lotto Winner (John Stark, Jr.) at the wire. In Your Room (Eric Mollor) came in the show spot.
(Buffalo Raceway)