by John Horne, for Tioga Downs
Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs hosted three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Friday (July 20). Each division raced for a purse of $37,966.
Cavill Hanover (Ake Svanstedt) won the first division of the NYSS. JNR Express (Jim Marohn Jr.) jumped out to the lead, hitting the first quarter in :28 and the half in :59.3. Cavill Hanover ($8.20) took control on the backstretch. Trained by Svanstedt for owners Little E LLC, Vanersol Inc., and Wolfgang A Stable Inc., Cavill Hanover would lead them to three-quarters in 1:27.3 and won going away in a lifetime best of 1:56.4. JNR Express held for second. Kredit Karma (Brian Sears) finished third.
Cavill Hanover is a 2-year-old colt by Muscle Mass-CR Calendar Girl. He is now two-for-two in his young career.
Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) was impressive in the second division of the NYSS. Brady Bunch (Andy Miller) controlled all the early fractions (:29, :59, 1:27.3). Gimpanzee ($3.40) went first-over from third before the three-quarter mark. Trained by Marcus Melander for owners Courant Inc. and SRF Stable, he wore down second place finisher Brady Bunch to win easily in 1:56.1. Chapter Fashion (Mike Simons) was third best.
Gimpanzee is a 2-year-old colt by Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows. He used a career best time to go two-for-two in his career.
Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggert Jr.) was an upset winner in the third division of the NYSS. Leap Year Lucky (Dan Daley) led the trotters to a first quarter of :28.4 and to the half in :59.4. Winning Habit (Andy Miller) took the lead just before hitting three-quarters in 1:28.2. Chip Chip Conway ($22.40) was third heading to three-quarters. Owned by Ken Weckstein and trainer Gary Messenger, he charged late down the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:58. Our White Night (Jim Morrill Jr.) came flying late to finish second. Winning Habit settled for third.
Chip Chip Conway is a 2-year-old gelding by Conway Hall-Get Chipped. It was his second win in four lifetime starts.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing with a 13-race card on Saturday (July 20) starting at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.