by Melissa Simser

Saratoga, NY — Freshman colt and gelding trotters were in town on Thursday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway to take part in the New York Sire Stakes.

Saratoga Casino and Raceway Photo

Buen Camino was the winner of the fastest division (1:59.2) of NYSS for freshman male trotters on Thursday at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Three divisions of the $53,500+ stakes races for freshman trotters highlighted the card with Trond Smedshammer’s Buen Camino (Cash Hall) leading the way as the fastest (1:59.2) among stakes winners.

Buen Camino was the favorite in his four horse division of the Sire Stakes after three rivals were scratched. Coming off of a convincing, career best win in 1:58 at Batavia, Buen Camino moved out to the early lead in his local debut and battled major danger Home’n Dry (Wally Hennessey) throughout the final quarter before that one made a break late in the stretch and was subsequently disqualified from second.

Buen Camino was the fastest of the three winners in the ‘big time’ stakes races by almost two seconds. Favored Sugarmakesmecrazy (Crazed) held on to win for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt in 2:02.3 and Andy Ray (Crazed) pulled off an upset for reinsman Steve Smith and trainer Erv Miller with his victory in 2:01 while dismissed at odds of 17-1 in the other two stakes races on the card.

Live racing continues at Saratoga on Friday night with a first post time set for 7:05pm.