Two consolations for two year old trotters took center stage at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Thursday evening as several New York Sire Stakes horses wrapped up their stakes campaign. Top Flight Angel (Archangel) and Teasin N Pleasin (Cr Excalibur) emerged victorious, each setting a lifetime mark on Thursday in their $50,000 New York Sire Stakes Consolations. Top Flight Angel and driver John Cummings Jr. closed up the passing lane to edge out the favored Another Chapter (Jim Morrill Jr) in the colt and gelding final. The Megan Wilson-trained trotter set a lifetime mark of 1:58.1 in what was the second victory in his freshman campaign. Jeff Gregory picked up the catch drive behind the Tom Corelli-trained Teasin N Pleasin who secured the win in the two year old filly consolation. The freshman highstepper scored for the fifth time in eight 2016 tries and did so in a career best 1:59. There were also four Excelsior Series Finals for two year olds which each went for a purse of $45,000. Percy’s Z Tam (American Ideal) and trainer-driver Pat Lachance scored in the colt and gelding pace final while Barn Winner (Credit Winner) and Jeff Gregory scored in the trot final for colts and geldings. The filly finals were both won by reinsman Stephane Bouchard as Royal Oaks (Rc Royalty) bested the freshman trotting fillies and Pirinhea’s Princess went last to first in the two year old filly pace final.
Live racing continues at Saratoga on Friday with a first post time set for 6:45pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
