by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs & Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — Doctor Butch (Pat Berry) posted the most impressive win in one of three divisions of NYSS for 2-year-old colt pacers on Friday night at Tioga Downs.

Fred J. Brown photo

Doctor Butch scored a 1:52 win in one of three divisions of NYSS for 2-year-old colt pacers on Friday at Tioga Downs.

Starting from post position number four, Berry hustled Doctor Butch to the front past an opening quarter in 27. From there his biggest challenger, Bet The Moon (Jim Marohn Jr.) sat on his back through fractions of :56 and 1:23.4. Around the final turn Berry asked Doctor Butch for more and the 2-year-old responded impressively, pacing a final panel of 28.1 to win in 1:52 establishing a new lifetime mark. It was the fifth win in seven starts for the 2-year old son of Art Major–Classical Yankee who with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $155,000. Linda Toscano trains Doctor Butch for Ken Jacobs who purchased the colt for $55,000 as a yearling.

Deny Deny Deny and Pat Berry captured the first division in the first race of the night.

Leaving from post position number one in a field of seven, Berry placed Deny Deny Deny on the lead past a quarter in 28. From there Berry set comfortable fractions of 57.1 and 1:25 before holding off late pressure from Artist Night (Jim Meittinis) to win in 1:53.2. The mile was a new lifetime mark for Deny Deny Deny who captured his second victory in six starts and increased his earnings to more than $96,000. Linda Toscano trains the 2-year-old son of Art Major–Fool For You for Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York.

In the second division, Thirty Two Red (Ray Schnittker) carved out fractions of :27, :56.1, and 1:25 before cruising away in the stretch to win in 1:53.4. It was the fourth win of the year for the 2-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight–Sakura Hanover who was purchased for $70,000 by the partnership of Schnittker, Gewertz, Arnold, and Burroughs.