Batavia: Trotting fillies invade for NYSS races

A track record 1:55 1/5 mile by Love A Good Story was the headline from four New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2- and 3-year-old filly trotters that took place on Sunday afternoon at Batavia Downs. Sire Chapter Seven was responsible for all four winners.

Racing in the second $55,000 section for sophomores, Love A Good Story (Andy Miller) settled in third while Without A Warning (Scott Zeron) drove to the lead from the pole position and hit the opening quarter in 27 4/5 and the half in 58 1/5. Love A Good Story went first-over past the half and was head-and-head with Without A Warning at the 1:26 2/5 three-quarters, and they continued to duel around the far turn. Love A Good Story put away Without A Warning in the lane and then gradually pulled away, hitting the line a length and a half to the good over No Mas Drama (Jim Morrill Jr.). Without A Warning wound up third.

The time of 1:55 1/5 lowered the previous Batavia Downs track record of 1:55 4/5 for a 3-year-old trotting filly set by Quincy Blue Chip last year.

Love A Good Story is trained by Julie Miller for owners Pinske Stables, Kentuckiana Racing Stable, and Daniel Plouffe. This was her tenth career win, and she has now earned $400,484. She paid $2.50 to win.

Just four 3-year-old fillies lined up in the first $54,000 flight, and Island Lily (Tom Jackson) posted fractions of 29, 58 4/5, and 1:28 2/5 on her way to a 1:57 2/5 decision. She defeated Destiny Blue Chip (Ake Svanstedt) by 4 1/2 lengths, with Illdoitmyself (Zeron) third.

Island Lily is trained by Fred Grant, and he also co-owns her with Timber Ridge Stable. Unraced as a 2-year-old, Island Lily broke her maiden in her third chance and pushed her bankroll to $29,200. She returned $4.90 to win.

Destined To Dance (Tyler Buter) won her third straight New York Sire Stakes event in the second $52,200 split for the 2-year-olds, scoring in 1:59 1/5. Destined To Dance tucked in fourth from post eight and waited in that position through stations of 29 3/5, 1:00 3/5, and 1:30 1/5 that were set by Eliza B (Zeron). In the lane Buter finally cut his charge three-wide, and when he did the response was immediate and powerful, as Destined To Dance surged and blew by her rivals en route to a one and a half length verdict. Eliza B had to settle for second, and Just Joshing (Miller) was third from first-over.

John Butenschoen trains Destined To Dance for co-owner/breeder Crawford Farms and co-owners Heritage Standardbreds and Rich Preziotti. Destined To Dance, out of the Credit Winner mare Go Go Dancer (1:57 1/5, $176,488) and a $100,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase, has pocketed $69,856 to go with her three-for-four record and she paid $3.80 to win.

Broad Strokes visited the winner's circle after a front-stepping 2:01 2/5 tally in the opening $52,200 dash for rookies. She cleared to the top passing the 30 second opening panel, backed down the half to 1:01 1/5 and the three-quarters to 1:31 3/5, and held on in a 29 4/5 final quarter. She beat Credit Income (John Stark Jr.) by a quarter of a length, with Ifnotmewho (Fern Paquet Jr.) third.

Ake Svanstedt drove and trains Broad Strokes for owners Little E LLC., Joe Sbrocco, L Berg Inc., and Triple Play Trotters LLC. Broad Strokes grabbed her first victory in her second opportunity and has stashed away $28,543. Bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc., Broad Strokes was a $50,000 buy at the 2019 Standardbred Horse Sale and is out of the Self Possessed mare Lady Marian (1:58 4/5, $41,126), making her a half-sister to Possessed Fashion (Donato Hanover, 1:53 4/5, $639,144). She returned $6.80 to win.