Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs will host three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 16).
Hickfromfrenchlick (Mark MacDonald) is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the $38,900 first division. The 3-year-old So Surreal colt is owned by trainer Ray Schnittker along with Nolamaura Racing and Thomas Spatorico. He has two wins this season, including a leg of the NYSS at Monticello. He has won six times in 10 career starts.
The second morning line choice at 3-1 is Respect Our Flag (Joe Bongiorno), trained by Jennifer Bongiorno for owners Barbara Bongiorno Stable, Bill Lambos and Dionisios Liberatos. The gelded son of Roll With Joe has two wins this season and four career victories.
The $38,200 second division features the 9-5 morning line favorite Reining Deo (Jim Morrill Jr.). The Rock N Roll Heaven colt is owned by trainer Brett Pelling along with Brian Gordon and Deo Volente Farms. He has three seconds and a third in four starts this season, and three career victories.
The second morning line choice is Buddy Hill (Jason Bartlett) at 2-1. The son of Roll With Joe is owned by Tom Hill and trained by Marcus Melander. He is still searching for his first win as a sophomore after finishing a respectable fourth in the $300,000 Art Rooney Pace at Yonkers.
In the $38,900 third division, the morning line favorite at 2-1 is American Mercury (Tyler Buter). The American Ideal gelding is trained by Chris Oakes for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Northfork Racing Stable, Chuck Pompey and Scott Bice. He has NYSS wins at Yonkers and Saratoga this season, among five career victories.
The 5-2 second choice in the last division is the Linda Toscano-trained Major March (Jason Bartlett). The Art Major colt is owned by the Bay Pond Racing Stable, and his two wins this season include a NYSS win at Monticello. He has won three races in his career.
Tioga Downs will also welcome wiener dog races on Sunday. There will be three heats of 10 dachshunds per heat, with the top three finishers from each heat qualifying for the final. The fastest wiener dog in the final will win a $500 wagering voucher. Second place is good for a $200 wagering voucher, and the third-place finisher gets a $100 wagering voucher.
The 13-race Father’s Day card starts at 1 p.m.
For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com.