Saratoga Harness: Thor De Vie still streaking, Miller, Oakes double in NYSS Excelsior Series finals

Thor De Vie extended a win streak to four thanks to a 1:53 4/5 performance in the $55,000 New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Series final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday afternoon at Saratoga Casino.

Driven by Jason Bartlett, Thor De Vie took the lead passing the 27 4/5 opening quarter, went on to a half in 57 1/5 and a three-quarters in 1:25 2/5, and held sway over pocket-sitter Imstaynalive (Bruce Aldrich Jr.), winning by three-parts of a length. Casual Cool (Billy Dobson) was third.

It was the 10th career win for Thor De Vie, a So Surreal gelding trained by Ed Hart for owners James Graham, Lee Winters, Paul Tandlmayer, and Giuseppe Micchia.

Bartlett also won the Excelsior final for 2-year-old male pacers with 6-1 shot Cal (American Ideal), coming through the passing lane from the pocket and halting the clock in 1:54 3/5 for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Crawford Farms Racing and Northfork Racing Stable. Oakes also sent out 3-year-old filly pace Excelsior champ Special Kay Deo (American Ideal), who was a 1:53 2/5 winner for driver Tyler Buter and owner Northfork Racing Stable.

Trainer Erv Miller also posted an Excelsior finals double, annexing the 2-year-old filly pace with Heavens Challenge (Rock N Roll Heaven) in 1:54 4/5 and the 3-year-old filly trot with 39-1 offering Michando (Muscle Mass) in 1:57 1/5. Jim Morrill Jr. drove Heavens Challenge for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Joseph Cornacchia, while Marcus Miller steered Michando to the triumph for owners Ervin Miller Stable Inc., J L Benson Stables Inc., and Atlee Bender.

The other Excelsior champions were:

--Lifetime Credit (2-year-old filly trot) in 1:59 2/5 for driver John Stark Jr., trainer Maureen Salino, and owner Robert Messing

--Labadee As (2-year-old colt and gelding trot) in 1:57 3/5 for driver Brian Sears, trainer Anette Lorentzon, and owner/breeder Acl Stuteri AB

--Nows The Moment (3-year-old colt and gelding trot) in 1:57 for driver Shane Taggart, trainer Allison MacDonald, and owner Sonya MacDonald