Harness: Ramona Hill sister gets underway with qualifying win

La Vie En Blanc is following in big hoof prints, but the 2-year-old female trotter made her first public appearance a winning one at Gaitway Farm on Monday. The filly, a half-sister to two-time Dan Patch Award-winner Ramona Hill, captured her debut qualifier in 2:00 2/5 with Andy McCarthy driving for trainer Tony Alagna.

A daughter of Chapter Seven out of Lock Down Lindy, she is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and was bred by Crawford Farms. Later in the day, Ramona Hill finished second by a nose to two-time Dan Patch Award-winner Atlanta in a 1:53 3/5 qualifier at Gaitway.

"There are a lot of similarities," Alagna said about La Vie En Blanc and Ramona Hill. "They're very willing; both have a great work ethic. They have a little different way of trotting. (La Vie En Blanc) trots a little lower, but you know they're sisters. She covers the ground."

Ramona Hill, who won last year's Hambletonian and has earned $1.32 million lifetime, was qualifying for the third time. Her previous efforts came April 30 (a fourth) and May 8 (third) at The Meadowlands. Alagna then gave the 4-year-old mare time off to work on her back, which hampered her at times last season.

On Monday, she lost a front shoe at the quarter-mile point but still trotted a 54 2/5 second half, coming home in 26 4/5.

"Andy didn't push her (because of losing the shoe) but he said she was very good," Alagna said. "It took us a little while, but today is the best she's been, so I think we have her going in the right direction."

La Vie En Blanc was one of four winning 2-year-olds for the Alagna Stable. The others were filly trotter Valentina Blu, male trotter Fast As The Wind, and male pacer Flying Tiger.

Valentina Blu (Chapter Seven-Corazon Blue Chip) won in 2:00 with McCarthy driving. The filly is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and was bred by Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard Holdings Usa. She is a full sister to Dan Patch Award-winner Fourth Dimension.

Fast As The Wind (Cantab Hall-Wind Stroll) won in 1:57 2/5 with Dexter Dunn driving. The colt was purchased for $95,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale and is owned by LeBlanc And Kribbs, Joe Sbrocco, Joseph Barbera and J Fodera N M Frank Stable. He was bred by Tony Holmes and Walter Zent.

Flying Tiger (Always B Miki-Bolt Of Thunder) won in 2:00 2/5 with McCarthy driving. The colt was a $45,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale and is owned by Alagna Racing and Brad Grant. He was bred by Robert Hamather.

"Overall, I was very happy with the day," Alagna said. "We had a couple colts that made mistakes, so there are things we've got to work on with them, but overall it was very good. Between what we qualified Saturday at The Meadowlands and qualified here I think we have a nice bunch."

Following is a look at the day's remaining 2-year-old winners.

FILLY TROTTER

Gettinmystepsin (Chapter Seven-Muscle Test) won in 1:57 3/5 with Andy Miller driving for trainer Julie Miller. The filly was purchased for $230,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale and is owned by Jason Allen, Ronald Allen, and Douglas Allen. She was bred by Jason Allen, Douglas Allen, and Concord Stud Farm.

MALE TROTTERS

Laws Of Motion (Walner-Gravitator) won in 1:55 4/5 with Andy Miller driving for Julie Miller. He was second a week ago, timed in 1:57. The colt is owned by breeder Frederick Hertrich III.

Secret Rule (Chapter Seven-Athena Miss) won in 1:57 2/5 with driver Joe Bongiorno for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno. The colt was purchased for $45,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale and is owned by Howard Taylor and Michael Cote Gagnon. He was bred by James Wilhite Jr.

FILLY PACERS

Max Contract (Huntsville-Big McDeal) won in 1:55 with Andy Miller driving for Julie Miller. The filly was a $200,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Sale. She is owned by Andy Miller Stable, Steve Heimbecker, and Jean Goehlen. She was bred by Steve Jones.

Collusion Illusion (Sweet Lou-Spoiled Beach) won in 1:55 3/5 with Bongiorno driving for trainer Ron Burke. The filly, who finished third a week ago, was purchased for $19,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Knox Services, and Phil Collura. She was bred by Enviro Stables.

Watch Her Dance (He's Watching-Dance Hall Girl) won in 1:55 2/5 with trainer Andrew Harris in the sulky. The filly is owned by Winning Key Inc. and was bred by Bob Key.

Hoffman Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere-Hug A Dragoness) won in 1:56 3/5 for driver Yannick Gingras and Burke. She was purchased for $65,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Phil Collura. She was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

MALE PACERS

Wehadababyetzaboy (Sweet Lou-Camille) won in 1:54 1/5 with Gingras driving for Burke. The colt is owned by breeders Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stable, and Jack Piatt III.

Code Cracker (Sweet Lou-Atsallrite Hanover) won in 1:56 3/5 for Bongiorno and Burke. The colt went off stride and finished fourth last week. He is owned by breeders Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Michelle Yanek, and Phil Collura.

Birthday (Sweet Lou-Breakheart Pass) won in 1:55 3/5 for Gingras and Burke. The colt finished third last week. He is owned by breeders Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

For Monday's complete Gaitway charts, click here. A video replay of the day's races can be found here.

Another round of qualifiers for 2-year-olds will be held at Gaitway on June 21.

-courtesy USTA Communications