Slew Of Sires Stakes Are Center Stage For Holiday Weekend

New Jersey and New York Sires Stakes will be held for the colts and fillies this Memorial Day weekend. The Meadowlands hosts round two of the New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) for both sexes on Friday, May 27, and only fillies go in three splits of the $121,100 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 28. Tioga Downs will also contest NYSS action with two splits for colt trotters totaling $124,800.

The NJSS for fillies is split into two divisions. Division one attracts mostly “Oaks”-contenders, with the exception of Hillosophical. Listed as the morning line favorite, Batoutahill could provide some sort of value, considering Hillosophical and Southwind Pearl may take more play for their quick final quarters against All The Time in round one. Batoutahill raced strongly on the lead against these gals and should have improved off her last effort.

Only three hopefuls collect in division two: Seaside Illusion, Southwind Hope and Glad All Over. Southwind Hope should be the presumptive favorite, which will make Seaside Illusion a better price. Making the second start of her career, the Jonas Czernyson trainee enters off a strong debut against conditioned trotters. She has bettered with every mile and could sit a good trip and claim victory on her trail of improvement.

One group of colts go in the second round of NJSS, with only Double L Lindy and Threeupthreedown not Hambo-eligible. Among the hopefuls is Jack Vernon, who was progressing to a powerful effort in his seasonal debut until he broke into the stretch. Even though Jack Vernon has shown trouble with his gait towards the end of last year as well, he has demonstrated talent when flat and will be ignored heavily from his post.

The latter two divisions of NYSS at Vernon Downs contain Oaks hopefuls. Split one gathers Goosebump Hanover, Zette Starlet, Non Stick, Sweet Ashley T and Earn Your Wings. Displaying a liking to the Vernon surface, Sweet Ashley T, who also enters off a fierce closing effort in the last round of NYSS, should provide value.

Division three brings together three Oaks eligibles: Pampered Winner, Open Access and Fad Finance. Fad Finance may have value from the outside draw, entering off a good effort from first over in NYSS action. She should also put in a better mile not only because she’s moving to a bigger track but also because this will be her second start of the year.

Tioga Downs’ NYSS splits attract a sole Hambletonian eligible for both divisions. The Perfect Lindy, in division one, and Reve Royale, in division two, should be interesting prices in their respective fields.

The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society. Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.