Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs welcomed two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings as well as three divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday (July 16).
Wild Ticket (Brian Sears) won the $54,500 first division for colts and geldings.
Show Me (Andy Miller) grabbed the early lead but Wild Ticket ($13.40) took over just before hitting the quarter first in :28.2. He used a :30 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.2. Situationship (Ake Svanstedt) made a three-wide move going down the backstretch and battled for the lead as Wild Ticket was first to three-quarters in 1:26.4. As they reached the stretch Wild Ticket found another gear and won easily in 1:55.1. Situationship finished second. Show Me was third best.
Wild Ticket is a 2-year-old Chapter Seven-On The Wild Side colt. Marcus Melander trains for owners Amg Stable, Kenneth Kjellgren, Heights Stable and Mantorp LLC. It was his first career victory.
Nottingham (Marcus Miller) shocked the field in the $55,500 second division for colts and geldings.
Bargain (Andrew McCarthy) was first to the quarter in :28.2. He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.3 and he cruised to three-quarters in 1:26.3. As they made the turn for home Nottingham ($46.20) emerged first-over and came all out after eventual second place finisher Bargain. Nottingham motored right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. Devious Mojito As (Tyler Buter) was third.
Nottingham is a 2-year-old E L Titan-Lady Marian gelding. He is owned by Exceed Stables and trained by Jenny Melander. It was his second lifetime win.
R Melina (Buter) took the $35,900 first division for fillies.
Sadbirdstillsing (Andrew McCarthy) was first to the quarter in :28.3. R Melina ($3.30) went on by and took over with a lap to go. She was first to the half in :58. Star Attraction (Svandstedt) came first-up to challenge as they headed for the final turn. R Melina led to three-quarters in 1:27.3. As they made the turn for home R Melina shook off Star Attraction and cruised home to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.3. Sadbirdstillsing was second and Epoch (Scott Zeron) finished third.
R Melina is a 2-year-old Chapter Seven-Goodtogo Hanover filly. She is trained by John Butenschoen for owners M And L Of Delaware and Alabama Harness Associates. It was her second career victory.
Sister Mary Maude (Joe Bongiorno) captured the $35,900 second division for fillies.
Erin (Dan Daley) jumped out to the lead and led to the quarter in :28.2. Sister Mary Maude ($3.50) went on by and took the lead with a circuit to go. She was first to the half in :59. Erin came first up to challenge for the lead heading for three-quarters but Sister Mary Maude got there first in 1:27.2. Sister Mary Maude flew down the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.3. Shirin (Andrew McCarthy) got second money. Hippie Shake (Jordan Stratton) finished third.
Sister Mary Maude is a 2-year-old Crazy Wow-Perfect Mass filly. Ron Burke trains for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, William Switala and James Martin. It was her fourth straight win.
Date Night Hanover (Sears) grabbed the $36,600 third division for fillies.
Senorita Palema (Svanstedt) put up all the early fractions. The first quarter went in :28.3 and things slowed down with a :29.4 second quarter. Date Night Hanover made her move first up from third as Senorita Palema was first to three-quarters in 1:27.3. Date Night Hanover and Senorita Palema traded blows all the way down the stretch, but Date Night Hanover surged by late to win in a lifetime best of 1:56. Senorita Palema had to settle for second and Communion Money (Jordon Stratton) finished third.
Date Night Hanover is a 2-year-old Chapter Seven-Don’t Wait Up filly owned by Jeff Snyder and Onda Racing Stable while trained by Melander. She is now two for two.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (July 21) starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.