NYSS late-closers held at Saratoga

The 2008 New York Sire Stakes Late-Closer Series for 3-year-old trotting fillies continued at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Thursday, with four divisions contested over the drying-out Saratoga Springs oval.

Kenneth Jacobs’ Princessofhollywd visited the winner’s circle for the second time in her last three starts when leading every step of the way en route to victory in her $10,700 Sire Stakes split in 2:02.3 for conditioner Bob Bloodgood.

Guided from post seven by Frank Coppola Jr., the daughter of Conway Hall was driven aggressively off the gate, opening up on her rivals while sprinting to a clear advantage through early fractions of :29.2 and 1:00.3.

After turning back a mild first-over challenge from Wave the Pennant through a three-quarter split in 1:31.3, Princessofhollywd entered the stretch with a two-length lead, and was never challenged down the lane, coasting under the wire to prevail by 2 ½ lengths.

Gotta Luv It halted a minor seven-race losing streak on Thursday when trotting the fastest Sire Stakes mile of the evening, stopping the timer in 2:00.2 to take her $10,800 Sire Stakes division for the ownership of Adele Prince, Joel Kravet, and Paul Schell.

Trained by Harold Purdy and driven by Jim Devaux, the daughter of CR Excalibur bided her time in third place through opening fractions of

:29.1 and :59.4 before seizing control of the race with one aggressive move to the front, reaching the three-quarter marker in 1:30.4 and coming home in :29.3 to score by 4 ¾ lengths.

Iambillycoltrane tallied her first win of the season when capturing the third $10,700 Sire Stakes division of the night in 2:01.2 for owner Cheryl Costello and driver/trainer Brian Allen.

The daughter of Malabar Man was parked through an opening quarter-mile in :29 but cleared the front on the second turn, cutting middle fractions of :59 and 1:29.4 before trotting home unchallenged to tally a two-length triumph.

Winbak Half prevailed in the final $10,800 Sire Stakes event on the card, stopping the timer in 2:02.3 after grinding out an extended first-over trip for Joe and Joann Thomson and driver-trainer Dan Daley.

Starting from post four, the daughter of CR Excalibur trotted contently in third place through an opening quarter mile in :30.4, but was quickly angled off the pylons to begin an overland journey to the front.

After tracking the leader from second through middle splits of 1:02.4 and 1:32.2, Winbak Half had plenty left in reserve for the final drive, powering to the front in mid-stretch and trotting clear to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths. (Saratoga)

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