Saratoga Springs, NY — Hall of Famer Brian Sears came to town and dominated the action in the New York Sire Stakes on Friday night (Aug. 4) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The superstar driver piloted the winners of both Sire Stakes races for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, guiding Situationship and Wild Ticket to stakes scores.

Situationship won for the first time in his three career starts by posting a dazzling 1:56.2 mile. Cheyenne Mandy photo.

Situationship won for the first time in his three career starts by posting a dazzling 1:56.2 mile, one of the fastest in track history for a 2-year-old trotter. Sears guided Situationship to his maiden win for trainer Ake Svanstedt and owners Knutsson Trotting Inc., Tomas Andersson and Little E in his $75,900 division of the New York Sire Stakes. The son of Chapter Seven out of the Cantab Hall mare Meegan Hall, Situationship was the 8-5 second choice in the wagering in his victory on Friday.

Sears wasted little time winning his second race on the evening as he completed the sweep of the early double by guiding Wild Ticket (Chapter Seven-On The Wild Side) to his second consecutive New York Sire Stakes score. Wild Ticket was the 1-5 favorite in his $74,500 stakes event as he went wire-to-wire in 1:57.1 with Sears sitting behind. Marcus Melander trains the freshman for the ownership team of Amg Stable Inc., Kenneth Kjellgren, Mantrop LLC and Heights Stable. Wild Ticket powered away from his rivals late in the mile to prevail by a resounding 8-3/4 lengths.

Sears won his third race of the evening when he piloted Inflation (Chapter Seven-Fraulein Blucher) to victory in a $20,000 Excelsior race for trainer Lucas Wallin.

Live racing continues on Saturday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 6:45 p.m.