Undefeated Earthwindfire in $114,000 NYSS at Batavia on Wednesday

When the New York Sire Stakes roll into Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 16), the undefeated Earthwindfire will be on hand to try and keep her perfect record intact as she lines up in one of two, five-horse $57,000 divisions of 3-year-old pacing fillies slated to go that night.

Earthwindfire (American Ideal-Road Bet) has rattled off six straight wins to start her year, including four NYSS events. The other two came in Grand Circuit action at Yonkers Raceway where she won an elimination and the final of the Park MGM filly pace. Those wins have made Earthwindfire the fourth richest sophomore filly in North America this year ($186,916) behind only Sylvia Hanover, Ucandoit Blue Chip and Twin B Joe Fresh, and she is less than $3,000 from vaulting into second place on that list. A five-time victor and runner up in the NYSS final as a 2-year-old last season, Earthwindfire has been winning at will in 2023 and is positioned to continue on that path here and add to her already gaudy lifetime earnings of $508,400. Jack Pelling will drive from post four for trainer Brett Pelling.

Standing in her way from another score on Wednesday will be Turn On The Charm, who is also having a breakout year of her own. Turn On The Charm (Huntsville-Charming Hill) is the current points leader (217) among the NYSS sophomore distaff pacers this year and has won four out of her six NYSS starts. She also competed in the Park MGM filly pace and finished a very respectable third in the final. In her last start at Yonkers, Turn On The Charm overcame a very slow start where she got away last, spotting the field 20 lengths at the half. But she rallied to finish fifth and was beaten only 3-3/4 lengths. With a post one draw in this race, Turn On The Charm should get a perfect trip behind the assumed frontrunner Earthwindfire and be in the perfect spot to strike late. Trainer Bruce Clarke has Marcus Miller in the bike once again.