Batavia Downs: Close finish goes Robin J's way

There was a single $110,200 New York Sire Stakes contest for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday evening at Batavia Downs, and 6-5 favorite Robin J was up in the final stride to win in 1:56.

Robin J (Jim Marohn Jr.) had a pocket trip behind 7-5 second choice Artrageous (Jim Morrill Jr.) through fractions of 28 3/5, 58 4/5, and 1:27 3/5, but she had to wait until the stretch and the passing lane to challenge as Pleasant Roll (Chris Lems) was battling the pace-setter on the outside past three-quarters. In the stretch the leading fillies battled three-in-a-line, but Robin J forged past on the inside to defeat Pleasant Roll by a head. Artrageous checked in third.

“She was real good tonight, but I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. The way it set up and the way the race went; it was all about the trip,” said Marohn after the race.

Robin J, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Ken Jacobs, is a Roll With Joe filly who now has five wins from six starts and earnings of $131,605. A $60,000 Standardbred Horse Sale buy, Robin J is out of the Western Ideal mare Mommy Robin Q (Western Ideal, $125,505). Robin J is the third New York Sire Stakes winner out of the dam, joining Double Major and Mother Of Art. Robin J returned $4.50.

--quote courtesy of Batavia Downs--