Monticello: In A Tiny Way, Valentina Blu trot to NYSS triumphs

Two $57,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies occurred on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway, and In A Tiny Way and Valentina Blu would post slight upset victories.

In A Tiny Way (Jordan Stratton) would lead through fractions of 29 3/5, 1:00, and 1:28 4/5 in the first flight and would give the cold shoulder to a first-over Perfect Vixen (John Stark Jr.) on the way to three-quarters and onto the last turn. In A Tiny Way dispatched Perfect Vixen for good before they turned for home, and In A Tiny Way went on to prevail by a length and a quarter in 1:57 3/5. Gertrude (Tyler Miller) had room in the passing lane from the two-hole but wound up second, followed by Perfect Vixen. Aldebaran Acrux and favored La Vie En Blanc (Joe Bongiorno) rounded out the order.

Mike Simons trains In A Tiny Way, a daughter of Conway Hall, for owner/breeder Ellen McNeil. In A Tiny Way, who did not race as a 2-year-old, has four wins from 11 starts in 2022 and has now banked $75,250. The 2-1 second choice, she returned $6.10 to win.

The other split saw Bomb Hugger (Mark MacDonald) carve out panels of 29 2/5, 59 4/5, and 1:30. Valentina Blu (Bongiorno) stepped out first-up from fourth coming off the third turn, and she advanced quickly into second nearing three-quarters. Bomb Hugger managed to stave off Valentina Blu's bid on the final bend, but in the stretch Valentina Blu came with another kick that Bomb Hugger couldn't match, and Valentina Blu would go on to tally by a length and three-quarters in 1:58 1/5. Bomb Hugger held second over Seven On The Rocks (Stark Jr.).

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Valentina Blu is a Chapter Seven filly trained by Tony Alagna for owner Crawford Farms Racing. Bred by Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard Holdings USA Inc., Valentina Blu has a record of 3-7-3 from 18 lifetime tries, has now pocketed $430,328, and paid $4.90 to win as the second choice.