by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — There’s been five track records either tied or broken this season at Buffalo Raceway but the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers came up empty in trying to challenge any of the marks in the three $37,266 divisions of the New York Sires Stakes on a steamy Wednesday night (July 2).

Steve Roth photo

Mikado Blue Chip posted the fastest time in NYSS at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday.

While not breaking the 2-year-old standard of 1:55.4 set by He’s Watching in 2013, there were still plenty of impressive times for the winners, all of whom made their first pari-mutual start of their careers.

The fastest mile of the Sire Stakes went to Mikado Blue Chip who posted an impressive 1:57.2 time over the track in the second division.

It was a gate-to-wire win for Mikado Blue Chip ($7.50) who beat Perfect Bid (Jeff Dauplaise) by a throttled down five lengths after posting fractions of 29.3, 59.0 and 1:28.4. Old Man Cleary (Brent Holland) finished in third.

“He has a lot of get up and go,” driver Doug McNair said of Mikado Blue Chip. “He really seems to like a half-mile track.”

Mikado Blue Chip (American Ideal-Ichiban Blue Chip) is owned by Mark Ford and trained by Gregg McNair.

In the opening $37,266 division, Cartoon Daddy avoided potentially huge trouble just past the half as he was drafting the first-over K Ryan Bluechip who broke stride. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. reacted quickly and swung Cartoon Daddy extremely wide to avoid the trouble and eventually scooted past the pace-setting Derby Dale by the time they hit at the three-quarter marker.

From there, Cartoon Daddy ($3.50) cruised to the finish line with no serious threats. He crossed the line in 1:58.1 and beat App Heaven (Jordan Stratton) by 1-1/2 lengths while KJ Brent (Holland) took third.

“He’s very handy,” said Morrill Jr. of Cartoon Daddy. “He was like driving a little car.”

Owned by the Burke Racing Stable and Joseph DiScala, Cartoon Daddy was sired by Art Major out of Ask Alice. Ron Burke handled the training duties.

The third and final division saw Aimo Hanover spring the upset with a 1:58 time and paid $18.40 to his followers.

Aimo Hanover went first-over just before the half and took command from Starznheaven just before the three-quarter pole and never looked back. Play The Field (Morrill Jr.) had late pace to pick up second place but was two lengths behind while Mystical Pacer (Holland) rounded out the top three.

“He did everything perfect tonight,” winning driver Jeff Gregory stated. “He’s a handy little horse and was perfect.”

Steve Roth photo

Aimo Hanover pulled a mild surprise in his division of NYSS.

Aimo Hanover (Artiscape-Allamerican Celeb) is owned by the Doug Ackerman Stables Inc. and conditioned by D.R. Ackerman.

The $12,800 Excelsior Series A class for the 2-year-old colts and geldings saw Artistic Major (Holland)) take the first division in 1:58.2 and returned $11.20 for the victory. American Anthem (McNair) rallied in the stretch and scored the $19.00 win in 1:59.3 in the second leg.

In the non-betting $6,600 Excelsior Series B class for the 2-year-old colts and gelding pacers, Mr. Wiskers and Morrill Jr. covered the mile in 2:01.2 to register the decision.

You’re Too Funny took the weekly $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace for driver Mark MacDonald in 1:55.1. Owned by Greg Capell and trained by Lisa Zgodzinski, You’re Too Funny ($13.00) held off the hard-charging Dontch Remember (Morrill) and Mondatta (Jim McNeight).

Racing resumes on Friday night with the 13-race program card getting started at 6:40 p.m.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com