Saratoga Harness: Sharp Seven finishes first in New York Sire Stakes

Sharp Seven broke last time out at Yonkers but was straight and smooth in Monday's $156,600 New York Sire Stakes showdown for rookie trotting fillies at Saratoga Casino Hotel, prevailing in 1:58 2/5.

Driven by Jeff Gregory, Sharp Seven showed speed from post four and worked her way around B Eyelash (Jacob Cutting before the 29 2/5 quarter. Sharp Seven would then be challenged on the outside by Overalls (Jordan Stratton), and Overalls hit the front as they went into the second turn.

Not wanting to sit in the pocket, Gregory steered Sharp Seven back to the outside, and she cleared Overalls en route to the 59 3/5 half-mile marker. From there, Sharp Seven was clear to three-quarters in 1:29 as a first-over Jula Hot To Chill (Braxten Boyd) was able to slide down to the pylons in the pocket as Overalls gapped.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

It wound up being a match race between Sharp Seven and Jula Hot To Chill in the final panel, and even though Jula Hot To Chill tipped out on the final turn and then went back to the passing lane in the stretch, Sharp Seven couldn't be caught, scoring by two lengths. Aviatrix Blue Chip (Jim Devaux), B Eyelash and Grace In Heaven (Brett Beckwith) rounded out the top five.

A daughter of Chapter Seven bred by Fred Hertrich III, Sharp Seven is trained by George Ducharme for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC. She has a summary of 2-2-0 from six starts, has earned $149,200 and paid $3.90 to win.

Gregory and Ducharme also won both $20,000 Excelsior Series flights on the program with Makeittothebell (by Chapter Seven and bred by More Intense Soc Agr Srls, paid $5.90 to win) in 1:59 3/5 for owner Ftm Racing Stable LLC. and Elqueen (by E L Titan and bred by Ross Bonafield, paid $2.60 to win) in 2:01 for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC.