Leading driver Billy Dobson came to the forefront once again as he has a monster night, winning five times on a card that saw 11 of its races consist of 2-year-old filly pacers. Dobson’s win with Summertime Lea (Lislea-Donna Summer), who wired the field in 1:56, matched the mile time set earlier in the night as the fastest amongst the 2-year-olds.
Summertime Lea was making her lifetime debut for trainer Ron Burke and co-owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Earl Smith as she emerged from the night potentially as the most impressive filly from the first installment of stakes competition for the rookie pacers.
Dobson also piloted a stakes win with Give Me An Amen (Art Major-Tina Blue Chip), who scored in 1:56.1. The filly is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Stake Your Claim Stable, Martin Sternberg and Fred Wallace.
Toscano had a trainer's double as JK Allthatjazz (Art Major-Pilgrims Witchie) pulled off an upset at 10-1, prevailing with driver Pat Berry at the lines. JK Allthatjazz broke her maiden with a 1:56 win. She is owned by 3 Brothers Stables.
The other fillies recording Sire Stakes victories were: See Major (Art Major-See And Be Seen) for driver Stephane Bouchard, trainer Aaron Lambert and co-owners J&T Silva Stables, Ken Tucci, Carl Cito Jr. and Peter Grandich in 1:56.2; and Freetime (Artiscape-Bubbas Joicey B), who gave Berry a driving double. The 1:57.4 winner is trained by Julie Miller for the Andy Miller Stable and Triple D Stables.
Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee set to begin at 12:45 p.m.