HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The powerful Ron Burke stable definitely will have strength in numbers when they arrive Wednesday night (June 22) for the New York Sire Stakes for the 3-year old pacing fillies at Buffalo Raceway. 

 

Encore Deo (Matt Kakaley) and Vino And Formaggio (Jim Morrill Jr.) are the Burke-trainees entered in the first $59,100 division while Mother Of Art (Mark MacDonald), Dime A Dance (Kakaley) and Art Critic are coupled in the second $59,100 leg.

 

In the first event, scheduled as the second race, Encore Deo and Vino And Formaggio have just combined for one victory in 14 starts this season but are very capable in finding the winner's circle. 

 

Encore Deo has finished second and third in her last two starts, both in Sire Stakes action at Tioga Downs and Saratoga. Vino And Formaggio has been in the money three times in seven starts this year and has earned $108,111 in just 18 career starts. Encore Deo and Vino And Formaggio will start from the two and four post respectively and are 7-2 in the morning line.

 

Angels Rockn Pink is the 7-5 morning line choice, however, with MacDonald in the sulky. She was a winner in the NYSS at Tioga on June 12, scoring a length victory over Dime A Dance in 1:52.1. Angels Rockn Pink has been in the money in all five of her 2016 starts, winning twice and putting $61,271 in the bankroll.

 

The remainder of the first division includes No Clouds Blue Chip (Kevin Cummings), Major Millie (Ray Fisher Jr.) and American Ivy (Andy Miller). Both No Clouds Blue Chip and American Ivy each have Sire Stakes victories on their resumes this year.

 

The fourth race features the Burke threesome of Mother Art, Dime A Dance and Art Critic who were tabbed the heavy 4-5 morning line choice.

 

Dime A Dance tops the entry as she has $285,136 in her brief career. After taking a Sire Stakes win at Saratoga, Dime A Dance came up a length short to Angels Rockn Pink on June 12. She's been in the money in all four tries this season and appears to be the one to beat.

 

While the Burke entry is mighty, don't overlook Time On My Hands (Morrill Jr.). She has two straight Sire Stakes victories and a second place finish in her last three outings. The Chris Oakes-trainee has $236,182 in earnings in just 12 career starts.

 

Soft Idea (Cummings) has a Sire Stakes win under her belt in 2016, that coming on May 23 at Monticello in 1:55.2. The front-running Soft Idea looks like the lone speed and could play catch me if you can.

 

Milky Way Rae (Drew Monti) completes the field having won two of her last three starts.

 

The 10-race card gets underway at 5 p.m. with Excelsior A and B Series races scheduled as well.