New York Sire Stakes Action Saturday At Goshen Historic Track

GOSHEN, NY (07/02/2008)(readMedia)-- Eight divisions of New York Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colt and filly pacers highlight the Saturday racing program at Historic Track in Goshen, N.Y.

All races carry a $15,000 purse. Post time is 1 p.m. for the first race.

Race fans of all ages and those attending the "Great American Weekend" festivities in Goshen are encouraged to visit the Historic Track for these exciting races.

The boys split into three divisions, programmed as races three, four, and eight.

The sophomore filly pacers comprise five events on the nine-race card. It's ladies first on the program as the fillies compete in the first two races of the day.

The star of the afternoon, however, might be the filly Artimittateslife in the seventh race. This should be an easy task for Artimittateslife, whose three wins in six starts this season have produced earnings of $243,571. She's coming off an easy win in NYSS action at Saratoga and in her previous race she was second in the $718,370 Fan Hanover at Mohawk Raceway. Her best winning time is a 1:52 mile at Mohawk and Stephane Bouchard will be in the bike behind the Art Major filly.

Silent Bid and trainer-driver John Stark, Jr. head the first race. The daughter of Bettor's Delight is fresh off a wire-to-wire win in 1:56.4 at Saratoga and she'll be looking to extend her winning ways.

Won Night Stand looks to be the best in the second race. The Village Jove filly has finished second four times in seven starts with only one win, but driver Howard Okusko hopes she can find the winner's circle on Saturday.

The fifth race shapes up as a battle between Delightful Diva and JK Majorette. Both have a pair of wins this year, Delightful Diva's best time is 1:56.2 and JK Majorette's best is 1:55.4. Delightful Diva has finished first, second, third, and fourth, respectively, in her last four starts and she'd like to continue her first-place finishes. JK Majorette won races at Buffalo and Saratoga, then broke stride in her last race at Yonkers.

The fifth NYSS event for fillies is race nine and it's headed by P H Dream, a winner eight times in 17 starts this year. Her racing season began in January, however, and the hard racing may be taking a toll on the Dream Away filly. If she falters, look for Thumbprint and driver Gaetan Brunet to take command. She's been remarkably consistent this year and has the benefit of starting from post position number one.

The boys start their pacing wars in the third race on Saturday at Goshen, where the likely favorite is Major Stone. He's a winner of three races to go with two runner-up placings in six starts this year. The son of Art Major took his 1:51.2 mark last Saturday in winning a New York Sire Stakes event at Vernon Downs. He'll be piloted by Howard Okusko.

Jagger Blue Chip is sure to use the inside post position to his advantage in the fourth race. He's won half of his six starts this season and the son of Bettor's Delight has proven his ability on a half-mile track this season with wins in 1:54.4 at Saratoga and 1:55 at Buffalo. Stephane Bouchard is named to drive.

Sailing Cruise will get most of the attention in the third division of NYSS action for sophomore males. In nine starts this season, he's visited the winner's circle five times. He was a convincing 1:51.3 winner in his last start at Vernon Downs. Bouchard is also named to drive Sailing Cruise.

The Historic Track is well-named because it is America's oldest track, as racing first took place there in 1838. Additionally, New York Sire Stakes Filly and Colt Trot Races will be held on Sunday, July 6; with the first post time at1PM.

The New York Sire Stakes racing program is administered by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (the Fund). The Fund is the public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965) to promote agriculture through the breeding of standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the State. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes races, State Fair Series events, Late Closers Series races, and County Fair Series races. Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to county agriculture societies and contributes to the statewide 4-H program and to the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

For information about the New York Sire Stakes racing program visit www.nysirestakes.com.

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