Buter sweeps NYSS at Tioga with Honey’s Sweet and R Melina
June 7, 2024,Nichols, NY – Tioga Downs played host to two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Friday (June 7).
Honey’s Sweet (Tyler Buter) takes the $57,000 first division.
Winning Alliance (Todd Ratchford) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in:28. She used a :29.0 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.0. Winning Alliance was first to three quarters in 1:25.3.
As they made the turn for home Chaparmbro (Trond Smedshammer) popped the pocket As Honey’s Sweet ($19.00) came flying three-wide down the stretch. Honey’s Sweet blew right on by to win in 1:54.2. Winning Alliance had to settle for second. Star Attraction (Sarah Svanstedt) finished third.
Honey’s Sweet is a filly by Chapter Seven. She is owned by Crawford Farms racing and trained by Tony Alagna. It was her first win this season. She now has four career victories.
R Melina (Tyler Buter) goes gate-to-wire in the $57,000 second division.
R Melina ($2.30) went straight to the front and led to the quarter in :28.0. She was first to the half in :57.4 and first to three-quarters in 1:26.1.
As they entered the stretch second place finisher Sister Mary Maude (Joe Bongiorno) went all out after the leader. R Melina was too strong and held firm to win in 1:54.2. Honorable Way (Sarah Svanstedt) finished third.
R Melina is a filly by Chapter Seven. John Butenschoen trains for owners M & L of Delaware LLC., and Alabama Harness Associates LLC. She is three for three as a sophomore. She now has 10 career victories.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs with a 10-race card on Saturday (June 8) at 6:15 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.