The final day of stakes racing for the 2024 season at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack featured an exciting showdown in the $45,000 Shesastonecoldfox Stakes. A field of eight 2-year-old fillies took to the track, with Idyll Gossip emerging as the lukewarm 5-to-2 morning-line favorite.

A Triumph for Owner, Breeder, and Trainer

Idyll Gossip's Bid for Glory

Idyll Gossip, trained by Paul Barrow and ridden by jockey Kevin Navarro, was aiming for her second lifetime victory. The Central Banker filly was owned and bred by Francis Paolangeli, who was eager to see his prized horse claim a stakes victory."It would be great to win a stakes race, and no one is more deserving than owner/breeder Mr. Paolangeli," Barrow said in a pre-race press release. "She's a nice filly, she's training well, and we're very excited about her chances."Barrow's confidence in his charge was well-founded, as Idyll Gossip delivered a thrilling performance on the racetrack. After leading for much of the six-furlong dash, the filly found an extra gear in the final strides to overtake April Storm and secure the victory.

A Milestone for Central Banker

Idyll Gossip's triumph marked the 18th stakes winner, and the seventh of 2024, for her sire, Central Banker. The 14-year-old son of Speightstown has been making waves in the industry, with his progeny earnings sitting at $4,634,443 heading into Monday's race, just $33,000 behind the leader, Bucchero.Central Banker stands for $7,500 at McMahon in Saratoga Springs, while Bucchero will stand for $10,000 at Ironhorse Stallions in Stillwater after standing the 2024 season at McMahon. Idyll Gossip's victory not only brought joy to her connections but also added to the impressive legacy of her sire.

A Tough Road to Victory

Idyll Gossip's path to the Shesastonecoldfox Stakes victory was not without its challenges. The filly had previously placed third in the $98,912 Lady Finger Stakes at Finger Lakes on September 23 and then finished a disappointing sixth in the New York Breeders' Futurity on October 21.However, Navarro never lost faith in his mount, pushing Idyll Gossip hard in the final stretch to edge past April Storm and claim the win. The victory was a testament to the filly's resilience and the unwavering belief of her connections.

A Promising Pedigree

Idyll Gossip is the first foal out of Paolangeli's Spring At Last mare Cozzy Spring, a four-time winner who earned $243,640 in 11 starts on the NYRA circuit. She's out of the stakes-winning New York-bred Broken Vow mare Pretty Cozzy, who won eight of 36 starts and earned $218,760.With such a strong pedigree and a thrilling victory under her belt, Idyll Gossip has certainly made a name for herself in the world of New York-bred racing. Her connections are undoubtedly excited to see what the future holds for this promising young filly.