Batavia, NY — Two $57,000 New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings lined up at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (July 31) evening. Trainer Travis Alexander and driver Matt Kakaley teamed up with a pair of heavy favorites — Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) and Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover) — who put on impressive performances to secure victories in both contests.
In the first event, Howlenthehills maintained his control from post one and led the field through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.1 without any provocations from behind. Halfway through the final turn, Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) vacated the garden spot and took his best shot at the leader. But after Boston Rocks got within a length at the top of the stretch, Howlenthehills simply pulled away under a line drive by Kakaley to win in 1:53.3.

It was the third straight win and eighth win in the last nine starts for Howlenthehills ($3.40), who has now earned $268,850 this year for owner Symmetry Stable.
In the second split, Huntingforchrome got away last by almost 10 lengths as Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxten Boyd) called the shots on top. While Taranaki (Kevin Cummings) was breathing down his back, Vandiemen Bluechip backed down the half to a tepid :58.3 while stacking up the field before they all entered the third turn.
When the group moved past five-eighths, Brett Beckwith pulled the right line on Ameritric from fourth and Huntingforchrome followed as the pace quickened through a :28 third quarter. Then, as they moved through the final bend, Ameritric could not gain ground on Vandiemen Bluechip, so Kakaley tipped Huntingforchrome three-high as they entered the stretch. From there, Huntingforchrome closed out a sparkling :26.4 final quarter by bolting for home under no urging whatsoever to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.4.

It was the second win in the last four starts for Huntingforchrome ($2.10) who is owned by NY Seb Inc.
Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome were both bred by Crawford Farms.
There were also three $20,000 Excelsior races on the card. and one of them went faster than both NYSS events.
Escape To America (American Ideal-Flirtiscape), who competes as a homebred for John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe, won easily in 1:53.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Deborah Daguet.
Bruce’s Vo N Coke (Huntsville-Better Chill Out) won in 1:54.1 with Bartlett also in the bike for trainer John Berger and owner-breeder Joe Meany.
Printville (Huntsville-Thumbprint) scored in 1:53.3 for driver Brett Beckwith, trainer George Ducharme, and owner Purple Haze Stables. John Newman bred the winner.
Live racing at Batavia Downs resumes on Saturday (Aug. 3) at 6 p.m. Free full-card past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website.