Saratoga Harness: Leanne's Choice posts track record in NY Sire Stakes
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A track record clocking by Leanne's Choice was the major story coming out of the three New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old filly pacers on Friday evening at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Leanne's Choice (Marcus Miller) raced in the first $52,200 split and sat in a loose pocket as Bronx Barista (Mark MacDonald) went huge fractions of 26 4/5, 54 2/5, and 1:23 while having a big lead on the rest of the field. Bronx Barista began to tire past three-quarters, and Leanne's Choice caught up to her midway through the final turn, then immediately went two-wide. Leanne's Choice would take command entering the stretch drive and from there, she was able to keep a rallying Camerican (Jordan Stratton) at bay to the finish line, tallying by half a length. Peace Talks (Jason Bartlett) came in third.
The time of 1:53 knocked two-fifths of a second off the previous Saratoga standard for a rookie pacing filly of 1:53 2/5 set by Heart Of Mine on August 24, 2020.
From the first crop of Courtly Choice, Leanne's Choice was bred by Winbak Farm and is trained by Erv Miller, who also co-owns the $52,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase with partners Ron Michelon and Doug Overhiser. Leanne's Choice won in her pari-mutuel debut after a pair of victorious baby races at Pocono and paid $39.80 to win as an 18-1 offering.
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Bartlett would win the other two flights, taking the second $51,300 section with Blue Point from first-over in 1:54 2/5 and the final $51,300 split with Sea Pearl on the engine in 1:56 3/5.
Blue Point is a Huntsville filly trained by Ed Hart for owner Pollack Racing LLC. Bred by Vieux Carre Farms, she sold for $17,000 at the 2022 Standardbred Horse Sale, broke her maiden in her third chance, and has now pocketed $35,937. She returned $6.40 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
Bred by owner Brittany Farms, Sea Pearl was sent out by trainer Linda Toscano. Sea Pearl is two-for-two in her career after also tallying in the sire stakes at Monticello on July 3, she shows a bankroll of $38,775, and she paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite.