Saratoga Harness: NY Sire Stakes victories to Hamptons Babe, Just Divine

Saratoga Casino Hotel featured two New York Sire Stakes flights for 2-year-old pacing fillies during their Tuesday afternoon program, and it would be Hamptons Babe and Just Divine who got to go to the winner's circle.

In the first $71,600 division, American Ticket (Wally Hennessey) got first call after leaving quickly from post four, but Hamptons Babe (Jason Bartlett) pressed on two-wide and took over the lead before the 27 3/5 opening quarter. After Hamptons Babe cleared, she was immediately challenged by Wine N Dine Me (Joe Bongiorno), who had pulled out of third, and Wine N Dine Me worked her way to the point on the second turn.

Wine N Dine Me hit the half in 56 2/5, but coming to that station, 1-5 favorite Gotthegreenlight (Mark MacDonald) went first-over out of fourth. Gotthegreenlight was able to make her way into second when Wine N Dine Me reached three-quarters in 1:25, and then the public choice forged her way by the tempo-setter late on the final bend. Gotthegreenlight didn't kick clear, though, and that left the door open for Hamptons Babe to rally up up the passing lane to prevail by half a length in 1:53 4/5. Wine N Dine Me wound up third.

Tony Alagna trains Hamptons Babe, a daughter of American Ideal, for owner Crawford Farms Racing. The Crawfords also bred Hamptons Babe, who is the second foal out of the great race mare Anndrovette (Riverboat King, 1:48, $3,543,218). Hamptons Babe broke her maiden in her fourth chance, has now earned $57,941, and paid $13.20 to win as the 5-1 second choice.

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The other $72,900 section saw Miss Major Hunt (Leon Bailey) leave quickly from post six, but Symphony Girl (Bartlett) popped out of the two-hole and became the leader prior to the 28 1/5 quarter. Watching that action from third was 1-9 favorite Just Divine (Matt Kakaley), and as soon as the dust settled, he moved her off the pylons to brush to the front on turn number two.

The outcome wasn't in doubt from there, as Just Divine was allowed to back down the tempo to just 58 1/5 at the half and 1:27 1/5 at three-quarters before she sprinted home in 27 4/5 to draw off and win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:55. A Girl That Twirls (Daniel Dube) rallied from fifth to second in the final panel, and Symphony Girl held on to finish third.

A filly from the first crop of Huntsville, Just Divine is trained by Ron Burke for owners W.J. Donovan, Craig Henderson, Joe Sbrocco, and Purnel & Libby LLC. Just Divine, bred by Steve Jones and bought for $160,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has three wins from four tries, and she has now pocketed $82,533. Just Divine is the first foal out of the Rock N Roll Heaven mare Divine Caroline (1:49 2/5, $876,840) and returned $2.10 to win.