Eight $100,000 Excelsior finals produce closing night fireworks

The New York Sire Stakes Excelsior Finals took center stage on closing night at Tioga Downs on Saturday (September 19) and the evening ended with fireworks.  All eight finals each raced for a purse of $100,000.

Lady Oakley (Braxten Boyd) fires late to win the Excelsior Final for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Taladega Express (Leon Bailey) was first to the quarter in :26.1.  Grazia (Jason Bartlett) then took over and led to the half in :54.0.  Second place finisher Carry Back (Lauren Tritton) took the lead to three quarters in 1:22.0.

As they made the turn for home Lady Oakley ($16.32) came flying by to win in a lifetime tying mark of 1:51.0.  Lenna (Johnathan Ahle) finished third.

LADY OAKLEY REPLAY

Lady Oakley is a 3-year-old filly by Huntsville.  She is owned by Friendship Stables and trained by Maria Alvarez.  It was her third win this season and fifth career victory.

Solar Queen (Tyler Buter) takes the Excelsior Final for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

Bang The Drum (Dan Daley) led to the first quarter in :28.1.  Solar Queen ($8.80) made her move and was first to the half in :57.4, and first to three quarters in 1:26.1.

As they reached the stretch second place finisher Seven Thirds (Matt Kakaley) came flying late but fell short as Solar Queen won in a lifetime best of 1:55.2.  Native Pride (Jeff Gregory) was third.

Solar Queen is a 2-year-old filly by Met’s Hall-Supreme Seven.  She is trained by Rob Harmon for owners Go For Glory Stable and Matthew Lamont.  It was her third career win.

Prop Bet (Matt Kakaley) grabs the Excelsior Final for freshmen pacing fillies.

Shadow Of A Girl (Jason Bartlett) was first to the quarter in :27.3.  Clear Choice (Braxten Boyd) took command to the half in :55.3.  Prop Bet ($5.16) made her move heading down the backstretch and led to three quarters in 1:23.2.

As they reached the stretch second place finisher Shadow Of A Girl took her best shot, but Prop Bet won easily in a lifetime best of 1:52.0.  Bellissimabluechip finished third.

Prop Bet is a 2-year-old filly by American Courage-Bet Online.  She is owned by Fiddlers Creek Stables and trained by Travis Alexander.  It was her fifth career win.

My Philomene (Trond Smedshammer) captures the Excelsior Final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Elqueen (Jason Bartlett) led to the quarter in :28.2.  Then second place finisher Myths And Legends (Matt Kakaley) took the lead to the half in :56.3.  My Philomene ($2.24) took the lead and led to three quarters in 1:25.0.

My Philomene cruised home to win in 1:54.3.  Coya (Jordan Stratton) was third best.

My Philomene is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven.  It was her fourth win this season.  She now has five career victories.

Bacchus Blue Chip (Jason Bartlett) cruises to easy win in the Excelsior Final for 2-year-old pacing colts & geldings.

Second place finisher Its News To Me (Leon Bailey) took the early lead to the quarter in :27.2.  Bacchus Blue Chip ($2.12) then took over.  He was first to the half in :55.4 and first to three quarters in 1:23.0.

Bacchus Blue Chip won going away in a career tying best of 1:51.4.  Blast Blue Chip (Ridge Warren) finished third.

Bacchus Blue Chip is a 2-year-old colt by American Ideal-Sunnynseventyfive.  He is owned by trainer Ron Burke along with Frank Baldachino, Karr & Libby & Purnel.  It was his fourth career win.

Telling Tall Tales (Tyler Buter) takes the Excelsior Final for freshmen trotting colts & geldings.

Supreme Chapter (Jason Bartlett) was first to the quarter in :28.0.  Betelgeusebluechip (Matt Kakaley) took his turn as he led to the half in :56.1 and to three quarters in 1:24.4.

As they made the turn for home it was all Telling Tall Tales ($3.96) winning with ease in a lifetime best of 1:55.2.  Deviophelia (Leon Bailey) came up to finish second.  Betelgeusebluechip had to settle for third money.

Telling Tall Tales is a 2-year-old gelding by Back Of The Neck-Scores To Settle.  He is trained by Rob Harmon for owners William Mugglestein, Robert Robinson, and Harmon Racing Stable.  It was his seventh career win.

Aries Blue Chip (Jason Bartlett) romps in Excelsior Final for sophomore pacing colts & geldings.

Aries Blue Chip ($2.38) controlled all the early fractions (:26.4, :55.2, 1:22.2).

As they made the turn for home Aries Blue Chip made it a race for second.  He won in a lifetime best of 1:50.1.  Jericho Johnny (Johnathan Ahle) was second best.  River Ranch Dawson (Braxten Boyd) finished third.

Aries Blue Chip is a 3-year-old gelding by American Ideal.  He is owned by Forrest Bartlett and trained by Deborah Daguet.  He has five career wins all came in 2026.

Number Seven (Johnathan Ahle) comes from the clouds to win the Excelsior Final for 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings.

Flex Up (Tyler Miller) was first to the quarter in :28.2.  Acoustic Blue Chip (Jordan Stratton) Led to the half in :57.1 and was first to three quarters in 1:26.0.

As they reached the stretch, Self Portrait (Tyler Buter) took a short lead.  Number Seven ($58.72) came flying down the lane like a freight train blowing right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.1.  Lou John’s Action (Jeff Gregory) came charging late to finish second.  Rubens (Dan Daley) was third best.

Number Seven is a 3-year-old gelding by

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs

.  He is trained by Alicia Gray for owners Paul O’Neil and Jessica Okusko.  It was his sixth win of the season and his career.

Tioga Downs wants to thank everyone for a great 2026 season.  See you in 2027!

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs