by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Barn Bella returns to Buffalo Raceway on
Sunday afternoon (June 25) in the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly
trotters and she'll be seeking redemption at the half-mile oval.
Last year's 2-year-old Sire Stakes champion, Barn Bella
broke stride turning for home at Buffalo Raceway and finished out of the money.
a rare occurrence in her brief 15-race career. But it's been more feast than
famine for Barn Bella as she has won 12 times. In her other three attempts, she
has been totally off the board.
"This will be her toughest race of the year on Sunday
with the tight turns," Barn Bella's co-owner and trainer Steven Pratt of
Corfu, N.Y. said. "Buffalo Raceway is my home track and I support them.
I've adjusted a few things on her for a half mile track and don't anticipate
any problems come Sunday."
Drawing the four hole, Barn Bella (Conway Hall-Bravissima)
is tabbed as the heavy 3-to-5 morning line pick in the first division worth
$58,000. Jeff Gregory, a native of nearby Churchville, N.Y., will handle the
driving duties. It is scheduled as the fifth on the 10-race card that begins at
12:30 p.m.
Barn Bella, a winner of $350,005 lifetime, arrives on
a 10-race win streak including a 1:51.3 mile victory in the $228,250 Empire
Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs last week. That mark tied the track record set
by Check Me Out.
"She had a brutal race last week at Vernon," Pratt
said. "She got parked in 26.1 to the first quarter but still trotted home
in 27.0. I would say 99 percent of other horses couldn't have done that."
The bad news for others is the fact Pratt believes she'll
only get better. "She's just a monster. She's as game as any that I've had
including Barn Doll. There's no bottom on her. (Drivers) Jeff Gregory and Jimmy
Taggart Jr. each said after Barn Bella's last races that 'there is still plenty
left in the tank.'"
With the impressive credentials thus far, Pratt said he
along with co-owners Nancy Pratt and The Purple Haze Stables have been offered
'big money' for Barn Bella but there's currently a 'not for sale' sign on her.
"I am content with her and I am enjoying this. She's so
easy going, quiet and relaxed." He added, "Barn Bella doesn't train,
she just jogs. She knows what to do when she gets behind that starting gate though.
It's all business with her."
Pratt stated that Barn Bella will stay on the New York Sire
Stakes circuit for the rest of the year but they might supplement her in the
Breeder's Crown in October. "That's a pretty big nut to supplement her
into that but I truly believe she's one of the top three filly trotters in the
country."
The rest of the field trying to spoil the homecoming of Barn
Bella includes Maewegonow (Charlie Norris), Mamora Bay
(Sam Schillaci), Reverend Nanny (John Cummings Jr.) and Mighty Surf
(Jim Morrill Jr.).
The second division, slated as the seventh race, will carry
a purse of $59,100. It appears to be a wide-open event with Amber Ella (Jason
Bartlett) getting the slight nod off the rail at 2-to-1.
Amber Ella (Chapter Seven-Blushed) finished a distant fourth
behind Barn Bella in the Empire Breeder's Classic last week at Vernon Downs.
She did win four races in eight tries in 2016, piling up $139,193 in earnings.
Amber Ella has yet to find the winner's circle in three chances this year, but
does have a pair of second place finishes.
Billie Blue (Conway Hall-Lightfoot) starts from the six spot
and is a 3-to-1 pick on the morning line with driver Chris Lems. She's won
twice in five appearances thus far in 2017 including a 1:55.4 effort last week
at Vernon Downs.
Others ready to do battle in the leg are Deli-Delite (Drew
Monti), Scarey Karie (Phil Fleut), Chapter Too (Jeff Gregory) and Heels On
Wheels (Morrill Jr.).
The card will also have a pair of $15,000 Excelsior A Series
races and a $6,600 Excelsior B Series contest.
For more information including the latest news, race
replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
