Saratoga Harness: Seven Thirds, Kountry Plunge come out on top in NYSS

Ake Svanstedt catch-drove Seven Thirds and then piloted his own trainee Kountry Plunge to triumphs in two New York Sire Stakes races for 2-year-old filly trotters on Tuesday at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

Seven Thirds led through fractions of 28, 58 and 1:27 3/5 in the first $75,900 test and was able to hold off Anabella (Brett Beckwith), who tipped out of the pocket on the last turn, by half a length in 1:58 1/5. French Pastry (Tyler Miller) was the third-place finisher.

A Lucas Wallin trainee, Seven Thirds is by Chapter Seven and owned by Harbor Racing Stable LLC., Myfab Inc., Shermay Stables and Wallin Racing Stable Inc. The Joseph Di Scala Jr.-bred has three wins from four starts, has earned $60,725 and paid $24.14 to win as the longest shot on the board at 11-1.

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Kountry Plunge and Svanstedt took the other $74,500 grouping by six lengths in 1:55 2/5 after she was on top at the 28 1/5 quarter, 57 1/5 half and 1:26 2/5 three-quarters. Jula Florence (Miller) advanced from fifth to second in the final quarter and Seveallisto (Leon Bailey) was third after a first-over journey.

Another Chapter Seven filly, Kountry Plunge was bred by Kountry Lane Standardbred LLC. and is owned by Obm Stable, Svanstedt & Midnight Sun, Bender Sweden Inc. and Ecurie Diocles Ab. Kountry Plunge is three-for-three in the win column thus far, has pocketed $72,000 and returned $2.58 to win.

Capturing two $20,000 New York Excelsior Series events were:

--Little By Little (by Back Of The Neck and bred by Andrew Lapp, paid $2.92 to win) in 1:59 1/5 for driver Brett Beckwith, trainer Petter Engblom and owners Engblom Farm LLC., Evans Nation and Hickory Hollow Stables;

--Native Pride (by Chapter Seven and bred by Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc., paid $4.66 to win) in 1:59 1/5 for driver Jeff Gregory, trainer George Ducharme and owner Ftm Racing Stable LLC.