John Horne for Tioga Downs.
Tioga Downs played host to two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday (July 12). Both divisions raced for a purse of $59,000.
Hen Party (Andrew McCarthy) rolls to easy win in the first division of the NYSS.
The Fun Marshall (Mitchell Cushing) went straight to the lead but was quickly passed by Alleyesonme AS (Scott Zeron). Alleyesonme AS led to the first quarter in :27.3. Hen Party ($2.70) came first-over from third and grabbed the lead as they went by the stands for the first time. She led to the half in :55.1. She used a :28.4 third quarter to hit three-quarters in 1:24.0.
As they made the turn for home the only one with a shot was second place finisher, Alleyesonme AS but she couldn't get close and Hen Party breezed home in a lifetime best time of 1:52.0. Rapunzel Bluechip (Jason Bartlett) finished a distant third.
Hen Party is a 3-year-old filly by Roll With Joe. Owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by Tony Alagna, she won for the second time this season. She has five career victories.
Merga Hanover (Matt Kakaley) charges late to win the second division of the NYSS.
Racine Bell (Jason Bartlett) flew out of the gate and went straight to the lead. She hit the first quarter in :27.0. The filly went :28.4 in the second quarter to hit the half first in :55.4. As they reached the backstretch So Rude (Joe Bongiorno) came first up and put on the pressure. Racine Bell held on to a slight lead as they hit three-quarters in 1:22.1.
So Rude wrestled the lead away as they reached the stretch. Merga Hanover ($41.20) popped out of the pocket going three-wide in mid-stretch and blew right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:51.1. So Rude held for second with Dragon Roll (Jim Morrill Jr.) coming up to get third.
Merga Hanover is a 3-year-old filly by American Ideal. She is trained by Ron Burke for owners Joe Sbrocco, WJ Donovan, Thomas and Scott Dillon. It was her first win this season. She now owns seven career victories.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday (July 17) starting at 4 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com<http://www.tiogadowns.com>
