Tioga Downs: Barn Bella now sole track record holder for 3-year-old trotting fillies

Barn Bella lowered the Tioga Downs track record of 1:54 for a 3-year-old filly trotter that she shared coming into the night with Check Me Out to 1:53 3/5 in a division of the New York Sire Stakes on Sunday night.

Driven by Jeff Gregory, Barn Bella took over the lead just past the 28 1/5 opening quarter in the second of three $41,300 splits, then went on to click off a half in 57 1/5 and a three-quarters in 1:25. A 28 3/5 final quarter was enough to get her the new track standard and the victory by 2 3/4 lengths over Amber Ella (Scott Zeron). Southwind Tesla (Jim Morrill Jr.) finished in third.

Also a co-holder of the Tioga Downs track record for a rookie filly trotter, Barn Bella is a daughter of Conway Hall. She is trained by Steven Pratt, who also co-owns her with Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables LLC. This was Barn Bella's tenth career victory, and she has now earned $235,586. The defending New York Sire Stakes champion for the division, Barn Bella was sent off at 1-9 and paid $2.10 across the board.

Back in the $40,600 first section, Celebrity Ruth (Trond Smedshammer) won in a then-track record 1:53 4/5 after leading the way through stations of 28 2/5, 57, and 1:25. She beat second-place finisher Mamora Bay (Sam Schillaci) by 2 1/2 lengths, with Sunshine Delight (Christian Lind), who tried the eventual winner first-over in the middle-half, back in the third spot.

Smedshammer also trains Celebrity Ruth, an Archangel filly, for owner White Birch Farm. Unraced as a 2-year-old, Celebrity Ruth has won twice from four tries this season, and she has banked $36,762. The 7-5 favorite, Celebrity Ruth returned $4.90 to win.

Maewegonow (Charlie Norris) completed the New York Sire Stakes winners for the night, taking the $40,600 nightcap in 1:55 4/5. She got a clear lead after favored Northern Courtney (Mike Simons) broke while challenging near the 28 2/5 first quarter, then strolled through a middle-half of 59 and 1:27. Scarey Karie (Phil Fluet) had a good rally at Maewegonow through the lane, but her bid fell short as Maewegonow found the wire half a length to the good. Deli-delite (Chris Lems) was the third-place finisher.

The winner is a Deweycheatumnhowe filly trained by Norris for owners Carrie Norris, G And B Racing, and Acadia Farms Inc. Maewegonow picked up her third victory from 11 lifetime starts, and she has now put away $99,983. Dispatched as the 9-2 third choice, Maewegonow paid $11.20 to win.