Sophomore Fillies Vie to Compete in the NYSS Night of Champions

ALBANY, NY (08/24/2009)(readMedia)-- With the lucrative $1.4 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions just five weeks away, there are many NY-bred standouts vying to compete in the prestigious finals at Vernon Downs on September 26, 2009.

First up in the New York Sire Stakes series highlighting New York-breds who appear to be contenders in the NYSS Night of Champions event, we have three-year-old trotting and pacing fillies. Be on the look out for these girls as they strive for a position in the New York Sire Stakes championship races.

Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies:

Eagle Way by New York sire Dream Away is owned and bred by Frank Dettore from Ohio. Trained by Mark Ford, this pacing filly is no stranger to the Night of Champions competition, having won the 2008 NYSS Night of Champions two-year-old pacing filly division. Driven by Tony Morgan, the mile of 1:55.2 was a new divisional record, knocking a full second off the old record. She ended the 08 NYSS season with an impressive $200,857 in earnings. So far, Eagle Way has $108,482 in earnings for 2009 with four wins and two second place finishes.

Six of Hearts by Art Major is a local horse owned by Purple Haze Stables of Fairport, NY and Conrad Zurich of Fayetteville, NY. She was bred by White Birch Farm of Allentown, NJ. She made a valiant effort in last year's Night of Champions, but failed to place. Trained and driven by locals Jessica and Howard Okusko, Jr. of Vernon, NY, she's looking like a tough contender this year. She has $92,701 in NYSS earnings in 2009- a nice increase over her 2008 NYSS earnings of $57,858- with two wins, two seconds, and a third place finish this year.

Bet on Luck is an out-of-towner by New York stallion Bettor's Delight. Her breeder is John Grant from Ontario, trainer/ owner George Teague Jr. with co-owners Jan and Jerry Kovach all from Delaware. She has earnings of $68,509 in 2009 with two wins and a second. Bet on Luck has proven to be a solid competitor this season with an impressive jump in earnings over the $29,990 she made in the NYSS last season. It's a good bet she will earn her way to the Night of Champions.

Perfect Launch by NY-sire Riverboat King is owned by local man Kenneth Jacobs of Baldwinsville, NY. Bred by Winbak Farms of Walden, NY, she has earnings of $68,040 with three seconds and one third for the 2009 season. In 2008, Perfect Launch competed in the Night of Champions finishing 4th with $74,629 in earnings for the NYSS season and is poised to launch into the 2009 finals as well.

Three-Year-Old Trotting Fillies:

Brandnewgirlfriend by NY-sire Conway Hall is a local connection with Paul Kelly of Gansevoort, NY as trainer and part owner. Brand new to the New York Sire Stakes, having not raced in the stakes last year, this girl is hot with four wins in four starts and earnings of $94,449 this season. Looking like a strong contender for the Night of Champions, Brandnewgirlfriend appears to be the early favorite. She's sure to bring some stiff competition to the track.

Michelle's Way by NY-sire Conway Hall is owned by Marcos Ameralis from New Jersey and bred by Winbak Farms (Walden, NY) and Carl and Rod Allen Stables (Florida). She has earnings of $66,290 so far this year, which is nearly a $39,000 increase from last year's NYSS earnings. With a total of four starts with three wins and one fifth place finish, Michelle's Way is one to keep your eye on for the finals.

Allie Jae by New York stallion Malabar Man is a possible Night of Champions contender owned by Chevon Ramsey from NJ with 2009 NYSS earnings of $67,552 in four starts with two wins, one second, and one third place finish. Ever-improving, she has already surpassed her 2008 earnings of $25,259. Bred by Lori Ann Ramsey of Greenfield Center, NY, this filly is one to watch as she vies for a position in the championship races.

Porque by NY-sire Plesac is owned by Richard Balog from Illinois with earnings of $62,006 in four starts with a win, a second and a fifth this season. Bred by Winbak Farms, this girl finished third in her division in last year's Night of Champions and ended the NYSS season with $88,955 in earnings. Porque is positioned to keep the pressure on her competitors as they move toward the finals.

She's so Savvy by New York stallion Malabar Man locally owned by Purple Haze Stable of Fairport, NY. She was bred by Kentuckians Katherine N. and Dr. James F. Sautter. She has earnings of $48,475 with two wins and a second in three starts this season. Ending the 2008 NYSS season with $159,254 in earnings, this filly finished first in her division in the 2008 Night of Champions, giving her the experience to do it again in 2009.

Be on the look out for these top competitors as they strive to make their way to the 20th annual New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions at Vernon Downs on Saturday, September 26th. The $1.4 million cash grab is comprised of eight, $175,000 sire stakes finals, for two-and three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits with 9 horse fields going postward. Post time for the event is 6:55pm.

For more information on the New York Sire Stakes racing program, please visit www.nysirestakes.com.

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