by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media
Four divisions of the New York Sire Stakes headlined Friday
(July 11) evening's program at Tioga Downs, with Barn Doll ($2.70) fastest of
the victorious two-year-old trotting fillies.
The daughter of Conway Hall and Headintheclouds was rated
well off the pace in her division, settling fifth behind Zanna Blu (Gaetan
Brunet) and Kaliska (Ray Schnittker) through a :29.1 first quarter. With
a circuit to go, Jeff Gregory angled Barn Doll second-over to follow the live
cover of Bullville Rosie (Jim Morrill, Jr.), kicking cover on the far turn with
an aggressive push to the fore. Barn Doll drew clear to prevail by 3-1/4
lengths in 1:59.1, with Kaliska saving second off a pocket trip.
Trainer Steven Pratt co-owns Barn Doll with Nancy Pratt and
the Purple Haze Stables.
A pair of Lucky Chucky fillies prevailed in their respective
divisions, with the Jonas Czernyson-trained Nunkeri ($17.40) holding sway late
to stave off Concentration in 1:59.4 in rein to Mark MacDonald, and Paul Kelley
trainee My Twisted Sister ($14.80) scoring off a pocket trip in 2:00, driven
out by Jim Morrill, Jr. to just hold off the late-closing Summers Windsong.
Betcha ($14.00), a Cash Hall filly trained and driven by Dan Daley, was
the other division winner, edging clear late for a 1:59.4 triumph.
Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Saturday evening, with
a 13-race card set to begin at 6:15 p.m. EDT.
