Tioga: New York Sire Stakes action in abundance on Friday

A ten-race program comprised entirely of New York Sire Stakes and New York Excelsior Series races for 2-year-old fillies took place on Friday evening at Tioga Downs.

Jula Florence and Kountry Plunge, two daughter of Chapter Seven, won their respective trotting divisions, worth $52,500 and $53,500, in front-stepping fashion.

Jula Florence, who was bred by Jula Racing Inc. and paid $11.74 to win, prevailed by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:56 4/5 for driver Tyler Miller, trainer Julie Miller and owners Andy Miller Stable Inc., Windsong Stable and Dumain Haven Farm LLC., while Kountry Plunge, a Kountry Lane Standardbred LLC.-bred who returned $3.96 to win, tallied by a neck in 1:55 3/5 with Johnathan Ahle in the bike for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Obm Stable, Svanstedt & Midnight Sun, Bender Sweden Inc. and Ecurie Diocles Ab.

On the pacing side, both Cowboy Candy and Annie O angled out on the last turn after inside trips and rallied to win their respective $53,500 and $54,500 tests.

Cowboy Candy, who had Jason Bartlett in the bike, swung out of the three-hole and went by in the stretch to score by two lengths in 1:51 4/5. Cowboy Candy, a daughter of So Surreal bred by Eric Taddeo, is trained by Aaron Lambert for owner Chain Lightning Stables LLC. and paid $5.68 to win. Meanwhile, Annie O (Leon Bailey) got shuffled back to last beyond three-quarters, but then fanned out and powered by en route to a 1 1/4 length decision in 1:53 4/5. Paying $91.70 to win, Annie O, a Huntsville filly bred by Southwind Farms, is trained and co-owned by Andrew Stafford with Bonnie Benson.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The $20,000 New York Excelsior Series events for trotters went to:

--Seven Thirds (by Chapter Seven and bred by Joseph Di Scala Jr., paid $10.34 to win) in 1:58 1/5 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Lucas Wallin and owners Harbor Racing Stable LLC., Myfab Inc., Shermay Stables and Wallin Racing Stable Inc.;

--French Pastry (by Back Of The Neck and bred by Matt Franklin, paid $8.74 to win) in 1:58 for driver Tyler Miller, trainer Julie Miller and owner Exceed Stables LLC.;

Winning the $20,000 New York Excelsior Series races for pacers were:

--Shadow Of A Girl (by Shadow Play and bred by owner/trainer Anette Lorentzon, paid $3.46 to win) in 1:54 4/5 for driver Jason Bartlett;

--Prop Bet (by American Courage and bred by owner Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC., paid $5.34 to win) in 1:54 for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travix Alexander;

--Sharp Idea (by American Ideal and bred by Winbak Farm, paid $2.72 to win) in 1:55 2/5 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Scott Di Domenico and owners Triple D Stables Inc., Philip Steinberg and Michael Federici;

--Huntrix (by Huntsville and bred by Concord Stud Farm LLC. and Birnam Wood Farms, paid $2.80 to win) in 1:54 3/5 for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer Joe Pavia Jr. and owners Vincent Ferriero Jr., Steven Held, Todd Frocione and Pint Size Racing LLC.