Hamburg, NY – The New York Sire Stakes and Excelsior Series make their first appearances of the 2026 season at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (June 3) and the traveling series will start off with a big bang.
The 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, the “Glamour Division,” will take the opening spot as eight sophomore gentlemen will battle for a $121,800 bounty in the sixth race on the 15-race program that gets underway at 2:30 p.m. (EDT). It’s the first of seven consecutive Wednesday afternoons that will feature NYSS and Excelsior Series action.
The field is highlighted by Fragment, who was the 2-year-old New York Sire Stakes champion. A winner of $627,906 lifetime, Fragment won the final in 2025 at Batavia Downs on Sept. 6 in a track-record time of 1:52.1 as he rode the pocket then blitzed past the front-running Knoxville and registered the 6-3/4-length score.
Fragment (Huntsville-The Show Returns), who is set to start from post 7 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Per Engblom, had an adventurous journey at Saratoga in his seasonal debut on May 24. Both headpoles came loose before the start of the $84,000 NYSS event but driver Colin Kelly was able to right the ship and Fragment was able to coast to a 3-1/4- length victory over Fearless Partners in a snappy 1:51.4 time.
Ironically, Fragment won his NYSS event at Buffalo Raceway in 2025 from the 7-hole.
Unmatched Wisdom (American Ideal-Above Average) drew post 2 and enters a perfect 6-for-6 on the season, including a half-length victory over Mighty Matt in the $82,500 NYSS at Saratoga. He went a lifetime best of 1:52.1 for trainer Chuck Connor Jr. Unmatched Wisdom will have the services of Leon Bailey in the bike.
Another one to keep an eye on is Knoxville (Huntsville-Let’s Fall In Love), who finished third in last year’s NYSS finals. He finished third, a length behind Unmatched Wisdom, at Saratoga in his last appearance. Knoxville got post 4 for driver Tyler Buter and trainer Ray Schnittker.
Mighty Matt (Huntsville-Valentina De Vie) has been in the money nine out of 10 lifetime starts but is saddled with the outside 8 post. Driver Braxten Boyd will try to overcome the draw for conditioner Cameron Capone.
The rest of the field includes Hunthehuntr De Vie (Mark Herschberger), Rocket City Smitty (Ridge Warren), Twin B Manhunt (Kevin Cummings) and Fearless Partners (Drew Monti).
There will be a trio of $20,000 Excelsior Series paces for the young men, which will go off as the first, seventh and eighth races.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.