By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
There will be 14 freshman fillies on hand at Batavia Downs on Friday evening (Sept. 8) to compete for $109,000 in purses in the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old female pacers.
The first $54,500 division (race three) has Alexis Faith (American Ideal-Cannae Cammie) as the early choice to get the job done. Alexis Faith had won five-in-a-row until last week when she suffered her first defeat of the year to Youaremycandygirl in NYSS action at Yonkers Raceway. She set a lifetime mark of 1:53.1 at Tioga Downs last month and is the highest purse earner of this division with $96,145 in the bank. Alexis Faith is also third in the points standing for the final coming up at the end of the month.
Trainer Casie Coleman has Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike and they are the 9-5 track oddsmaker’s selection from post three.
Also in the hunt is Azreal As It Gets (So Surreal-Vanite Semlu). This filly is winless this year but has raced well each week in defeat. She was race timed in 1:52.4 at Tioga Downs last month and more recently has back-to-back third place finishes at Yonkers, both with solid closing quarters.
Matt Kakaley will drive for trainer Jake Huff and they will depart from post one at 5-2.
The next $54,500 group (race four) features co-favorites Jan and Hurrikane Shorty.
Jan (Rock N Roll Heaven-Armbro Savannah) comes late to the NYSS party as she makes her first start in the series. Having raced exclusively at Mohawk Raceway this year, Jan just completed a sweep of the Wish Upon A Star series, winning both eliminations and the final in a lifetime best 1:51.4.
Trainer Dr. Ian Moore has assigned Jim Morrill Jr. to drive Jan and they will leave from post six listed at 8-5.
Hurrikane Shorty (Art Major-Speed Date) is the current top point-getter and top money winner in the NYSS for her age, sex and gait. She is also the top money winner in this race with $107,565 on her card. Hurrikane Shorty won her first lifetime start in 1:52.3 at the Meadowlands in June and that remains her life’s best timing. The filly has never been worse than second in her career.
Jason Bartlett is on board for trainer Kevin McDermott and they will start from post three rated at 9-5.
There are also three divisions of the $15,000 Excelsior A series on the card that will go as race six, seven and eight.
Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
