Batavia Downs: Winndevie remains the picture of perfection

Winndevie ran her record to three wins from three starts after a rallying 2:00 1/5 score in the third and final $36,567 New York Sire Stakes division for rookie trotting fillies on Monday evening at Batavia Downs.

Driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer, Winndevie dropped into fifth and watched as Water Lily Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) led to the opening quarter in 29 4/5 and the half in 1:00. Smedshammer brought his charge to the outside coming off the third turn and got a friend to follow when Liquorstoreblues (Jim Morrill Jr.) tipped out first-over from the fourth spot. Pocket-sitter and 2-5 favorite Amal Hall (Andy Miller) also vacated the cones at that point, and she would clear to command before the 1:30 3/5 three-quarters.

Amal Hall kept control around the far turn and through much of the stretch drive, but Smedshammer had Winndevie trotting hard three-wide through the lane, and she would get up in time, winning by a neck over Amal Hall. Liquorstoreblues wound up third.

Purple Haze Stables LLC. own Winndevie, a Credit Winner filly. She added this win to previous New York Sire Stakes scores at Monticello and Yonkers and has now earned $51,008. Winndevie was bred by Joie De Vie Farm LLC., was acquired for $45,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, and is the first foal out of the Muscles Yankee mare Vida De Vie (1:57 2/5, $140,206). The 2-1 second choice, Winndevie paid $6.20 to win.

Back in the opening division, heavily favored Quincy Blue Chip (Morrill Jr.) made front passing the 30 2/5 first quarter and never looked back, stepping off a 1:01 4/5 half and a 1:32 1/5 three-quarters on her way to a 2:01 2/5 decision. She defeated Thanks For Leaving (Jeff Gregory) by a length and three-quarters, with Gobi Princess (Scott Zeron) back in third.

Gareth Dowse trains the victorious daughter of Chapter Seven for owner/breeder Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. Quincy Blue Chip has a pair of victories from three trips behind the gate, and she has now pocketed $46,774. Quincy Blue Chip is the fourth foal out of the Cantab Hall mare Sirenuse (1:55 1/5, $113,780), making Quincy Blue Chip a full sister to Ostrich Blue Chip (1:53 1/5, $138,343). Quincy Blue Chip returned $2.70 to win.

The public choice also delivered in the second grouping with even-money Conway Kellyanne and trainer/driver Charlie Norris turning in a 1:59 4/5 performance. Conway Kellyanne moved up to clear Safe Word (Gregory) past the 29 3/5 front quarter, and after middle-half sections of 59 2/5 and 1:30, a 29 4/5 final kicker got Conway Kellyanne to the wire three lengths ahead of Safe Word. Tina Rocks (Svanstedt) came in third.

A Conway Hall filly, Conway Kellyanne is owned by Carrie Norris, Acadia Farms Inc., and G And B Racing. She is now a two-time winner in her life, and she has put away $41,253. Bred by Dr. Patty Hogan and her husband Ed Lohmeyer, Conway Kellyanne was an $18,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale, is out of the S J's Photo mare Pacific Centerfold (1:56, $99,208), and is a half-sister to Gianni (Yankee Glide, 1:56 2/5, $158,573). Conway Kellyanne paid $4.20 to win.