Saratoga Harness: Favorites rule in NY Sire Stakes for rookie trotting fillies

Saratoga Casino Hotel played host to three divisions of the first leg of New York Sire Stakes action for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Tuesday afternoon, and Gertrude, Bomb Hugger, and Joviality S were victorious.

Gertrude, driven by Andy Miller in the opening $48,867 split, went to the lead from the pole position and chopped out fractions of 29 1/5, 1:00, and 1:29 1/5. Pocket-sitter Seven On The Rocks (John Stark Jr.) came to the outside on the far turn, but Gertrude fought her off to win by a length and a quarter in 1:57 4/5. Seven On The Rocks was the runner-up, and Bare My Soul (David Miller) finished third.

Julie Miller trains Gertrude, a filly from the first crop of Devious Man, for Andy Miller Stable Inc. Gertrude, who was bred by Millstream Stable LLC. and Aldebaran Park Inc., was a $15,000 purchase at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale and is the first foal out of the Broadway Hall mare Ophelia. Gertrude's second dam Mariongotchocolate, by Chocolatier, is a half-sister to Marion Marauder (1:50 2/5, $3,390,723). Sent off as the favorite after finishing second and first in two qualifiers at Gaitway Farm and the Meadowlands, Gertrude paid $3.50 to win.

The next $47,966 flight saw Bomb Hugger (Anthony MacDonald) carve out panels of 29 3/5, 59 4/5, and 1:29 1/5 on her way to a 1:58 2/5 decision. Gettinmystepsin (A. Miller) came up the inside after a pocket trip and was second, three-parts of a length behind the victor, and Cranberry Lake (Wally Hennessey) got third.

Trained by Melissa Beckwith, Bomb Hugger is a daughter of Chapter Seven. She was bred by Order By Stable, was a $32,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase by thestable.ca, and her dam, the Cantab Hall mare Stylemaker, is a half-sister to Patriarch Hanover ($325,466). Bomb Hugger was the public choice after winning an overnight event at The Meadows on June 24 and returned $4.30 to win.

In the final $48,867 tilt, Joviality S (Brian Sears) trotted to the point from post three and reached the opening quarter in 29 2/5. She's A Scorcher (D. Miller) then made a first-over move out of fourth towards Joviality S, and even though she wasn't able to get by the pace-setter, she was able to back into the pocket after the 59 second half-mile clocking. Valentina Blu (Andrew McCarthy) then took a first-over shot at Joviality S to the 1:28 1/5 three-quarters and around the final bend, but Joviality S just kept finding more and drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:56 4/5. Valentina Blu was next, followed by Pioneer AS (A. Miller).

Another Chapter Seven filly, Joviality S is trained by Marcus Melander for owner Courant Inc. Bred by Courant's breeding operation, AM Bloodstock Inc., Joviality S is the first foal out of the Muscle Hill mare Pasithea Face S ($579,565, 1:50 4/5). Joviality S posted a win and a fifth in a pair of baby races at the Meadowlands, was favored today, and paid $4.80 to win.