NYSS first year filly trotters open Batavia meet Wednesday
At 0h04, on July 21, 2021 • By BATAVIA DOWNS
When Batavia Downs opens its 2021 harness racing season on Wednesday (July 21), the card will be highlighted by a visit from the New York Sire Stakes and the 2-year-old trotting filly division. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
Thirteen first-year trotters will go postward in two divisions for a total purse of $101,700. It’s the second of five stops on their schedule this year leading up to the Night of Champions at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (Sept. 10).
The $51,300 first division is in race seven and seven starters are programmed to go. The morning line favorite is the undefeated Bomb Hugger (Chapter Seven-Stylemaker) who will start from post five at 2-1.
After breaking her maiden at the Meadows last month in her first lifetime start with a 1:58.4, 7-3/4 length romp, Bomb Hugger made her NYSS debut at Saratoga on July 6 a winning one with a wire-to-wire effort in 1:58.2. Despite a very brief body of work, she appears to have the best resume in this field at this time. Anthony MacDonald will drive for trainer Ryan Swift and owner Thestable Bomb Hugger Group.
In the $50,400 second division, Gertrude (Devious Man-Ophelia) has been labeled the 8-5 favorite on the strength of an impressive debut. Gertrude won a strong 1:55.4 qualifier at The Meadowlands in mid-June and crossed the wire five lengths in front of her competition. Then she won her first lifetime and stake start at Saratoga in an equally impressive wire-to-wire, 1-1/4 length win in 1:57.4, with a :28.3 final panel. She does move out to post five here after two consecutive starts at the pylons, but that doesn’t appear to be a hindrance to her chances in this race.
There are also three divisions of the Excelsior A series going for $15,000 each and two Excelsior B splits competing for $6,700 and $6,600.
