State-bred dollars and Grand Circuit bucks on the line along the path to August
By Frank and Ray Cotolo
(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible
Sires-stakes competition dominated this weekend of preparatory events on the Hambletonian Trail, with hopefuls competing at the Meadowlands in the second round of the New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) on Friday, May 26, fillies going in three divisions of the $122,500 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Tioga Downs on Sunday, May 27 and colts going in three divisions of the $119,200 NYSS at Vernon Downs on Monday, May 28. Fillies also fought in Grand Circuit action at The Meadows on Friday, May 26 in three divisions of the $72,000 Currier & Ives.
Ice Attraction (H-Muscle Hill) wired the 3-2 favorite Glitzey Gal (H-Muscle Hill) to win the filly NJSS split in 1:54.2, with Romancing Rachel (H-Muscle Hill) finishing third. Owned by Ake Svanstedt Stables, Douglas Sipple, Mal and Janet Burroughs, and Little E LLC, trained by Ake Svanstedt and driven by Andrew McCarthy, she paid $17.20 to win.
Strolling to a 4-length victory, What The Hill (H-Muscle Hill) bested King On The Hill (H-Muscle Hill) and New Jersey Viking (H-Muscle Hill) to take the NJSS colt split in 1:53. Owned by Burke Racing Stables, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry and Theresa Silva, and Deo Volente Farms, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by David Miller, he paid $2.20 to win.
In the opening division of the Currier & Ives, Caviart Wonder (H-Muscle Massive) slid past 1-5 public choice and pacesetter Fine Tuned Lady (H-Cantab Hall) to win in 1:55 with Sheez On A Cruze (H-Crazed) finishing third. Owned by Caviart Farms, trained by Noel Daley, and driven by Jim Pantaleano, she paid $9.20.
Cool Cates (H-Yankee Glide) rallied from off the pace and held off a late challenge from Sianna Hanover (H-Donato Hanover) to win the second Currier & Ives division in 1:55.3. Owned by All Laid Out Stables Inc., trained by Noel Daley, and driven by Mike Wilder, she paid $5.00.
Treviso (H-Muscle Massive) cruised to a 1:55.1 victory, taking the final division of the Currier & Ives over Temple Ruins (H-Donato Hanover) and Broadway Idole (H-Broadway Hall). Owned by Kils Brothers Stables and Carrie Norris and trained and driven by Charlie Norris, she paid $2.60 to win.
Celebrity Ruth went wire to wire to take the first NYSS division at Tioga Downs in 1:53.4 over Mamora Bay and Sunshine Delight (H-Credit Winner). Owned by White Birch Farms and trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer, she paid $4.90.
Barn Bella set a track record winning the second NYSS split in 1:53.4 over Amber Ella and Southwind Tesla. Owned by trainer Steven Pratt along with partners Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables and driven by Jeff Gregory, she paid $2.10 to win.
Maewegonow (H-Deweycheatumnhowe) also wired the field to win the final NYSS split in 1:55.4 over Scarey Karie and Deli-delite. Owned by Carrie Norris, G And B Racing, and Acadia Farms and trained and driven by Charlie Norris, she paid $11.20 to win.
Going wire to wire to take the first NYSS division at Vernon Downs, Stick With Me Kid held off even-money favorite Bill’s Man (H-Credit Winner) and a late rally from Top Flight Angel (H-Archangel) to win in 1:54. Owned by Paul Fontaine, Ashlee Allyn, and Donna Bonno, trained by George Ducharme and driven by Brian Sears, he paid $7.00.
Devious Man (H-Credit Winner) cruised alongside tempo setter Such An Angel (H-Credit Winner) and to the lead, progressing to a 1:53.3 win as the 3-5 favorite over Lord Cromwell and Aces And Eights. Owned by Story Inc. and Andy Miller Stables, trained by Julie Miller and driven by Andy Miller, he paid $3.20.
Slipping out of the pocket, Enterprise (H-Chapter Seven) grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and held off Swell Chap and Meetmeinthemiddle to win the final NYSS split in 1:53.4. Owned by Courant Inc., trained by Marcus Melander, and driven by Brian Sears, he paid $2.90.
