Tioga: Bomb Hugger wires NY Sire Stakes foes

Bomb Hugger minded her manners while many didn't and led at every call on her way to winning Sunday's lone $102,600 New York Sire Stakes race for 2-year-old filly trotters at Tioga Downs in 1:57 3/5.

Five of the nine horses in the race made breaks before the 29 second opening quarter, including even-money favorite Gertrude (Andy Miller), and a sixth one would jump it off past that station. Meanwhile, Bomb Hugger (Anthony MacDonald) had no such issues, and she made front ahead of post eight starter Little Pink Lies (Jim Meittinis). Bomb Hugger was able to back down the half to just 1:00 1/5, but Gertrude, who had gotten back on-stride and caught the pack as they raced in the homestretch for the initial time, began a first-over move out of sixth heading to that marker.

Gertrude got up into second before Bomb Hugger reached three-quarters in 1:28 3/5, but she couldn't sustain her bid after that and began to fade. After dispatching Gertrude, Bomb Hugger got some separation on the rest of the group on the final turn, and she would be able to keep clear through the stretch and to the wire, winning by a length and a half. Little Pink Lies was second at 58-1, and 18-1 shot Gettinmystepsin (Tyler Miller) got third. Those were the only three in field that didn't make a miscue at some point in the mile.

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A daughter of Chapter Seven, Bomb Hugger is trained by Jeff Byron for owner Thestable Bomb Hugger Group. Bomb Hugger, who was bred by Order By Stable and sold for $32,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, is now four-for-four lifetime and has earned $104,333. She is the first foal out of the Cantab Hall mare Stylemaker, an unraced Cantab Hall sister to Patriarch Hanover (1:53 2/5, $333,386). Bomb Hugger was the 5-2 second choice and paid $7.30 to win.