Batavia, NY – Although winless in the New York Sire Stakes in six previous attempts this year, Fearless Partners (American Ideal-No Fear Dear) was not only able to taste victory for the first time in the series by winning his $58,000 division at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 22) night, he put an exclamation mark on his effort by tying the track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings in the process.
Fearless Partners (Drew Monti) got away fourth and trailed by 12-¼ lengths as the heavily favored Knoxville (Matt Kakaley) led to the quarter in an expeditious :26.1. Knoxville was on a mission as Kakaley kept the pedal to the metal from there and passed the half in :54.1, gapping the trailers by 4-½ lengths. As the group started on the second circuit, things got closer as the pocket-sitting Hunting Glory (Ridge Warren) and outside advancer Aries Blue Chip (Leon Bailey) were now only one length in arrears to Knoxville as they went by five-eighths.
When Knoxville reached three-quarters in 1:23.4, Hunting Glory pulled first-over as Aries Blue Chip faded out of contention. That left an opening for Fearless Partners to pull behind Hunting Glory and draft behind him around the last turn. But at the top of the stretch, Monti went inside instead of out, taking Fearless Partners back down to the passing lane where he drew alongside Knoxville four pylons later and forged ahead by one-half length in the shadow of the wire to win in 1:52.1.
The time was both a seasonal and lifetime mark for the Fearless Partners and also tied the track record that was set just last year by Fast Choice in NYSS action.
Fearless Partners ($26.62) is owned by Robert Leblanc, Pryde Stables, Joe Sbracco and Jaf Racing and William Beattie. Anvil and Lace Farm bred Fearless Partners.
There was another $56,900 NYSS split that was contested as a non-betting event before the first race and Cooperstown Boy (Huntsville-Twinsburg) kept his hot streak going.
Cooperstown Boy (Colin Kelly) sat second behind Unmatched Wisdom (Leon Bailey) through quarters of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:25.4, as the field of four did not change positions once during that time. The group swooped the last turn and at the top of the stretch, Cooperstown Boy tipped off-cover and paced right by Unmatched Wisdom to win by 2 lengths in 1:53.4.
It was the fourth win in the last six starts for Cooperstown Boy, who is owned by NY Seb Stable and trained by Jared Bako. Jeff Mcfadden and Jeff Roberts bred the winner.
One $20,000 NYSS Excelsior Stake also took place on Saturday where the Matt Kakaley-driven Rough Deal (American Ideal-Ruffie’s Kiss) took the lead past the half and paced home clear by 1-½ lengths in 1:54.1, which was a new lifetime mark.
Rough Deal ($10.18) is owned and bred by Greg Hayter and trained by Travis Alexander.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5 p.m. and will feature the New York Sire Stakes 2-year-old trotting fillies.