by M. Kelly Young, executive assistant, the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Quandary Hanover extended his career winning streak to three and set a new track record for 2-year-old geldings when he paced home in 1:55.3 in his New York Sire Stakes division at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Saturday night.

Saratoga Raceway photo.

Quandary Hanover and driver Sam Schillaci set a new 1:55.3 track record for 2-year-old pacing geldings in the third race at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Saturday.

Purchased this past week by Mike Bucaria and the father and son team of Arthur and Howard Berke, the chestnut gelding pulled out of the four hole around the third turn and then had to brush again coming into the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. His time erased the 1:56 mark set by two-time New York Sire Stakes champion Dear Old Boy in 2004.

“Tonight was unbelievable. It was a perfect drive by Sam (Schillaci),” said an enthusiastic Bucaria. “I had no doubt he would win.”

But the owner and driver were both impressed by the time.

“Honestly I was a little nervous when I saw the early races and they were going that fast. But he did a great job,” added Bucaria. “He’s all business and he’s got a little bit of an attitude, but that’s a good thing for a colt like this.”

“Using him twice in the mile I was a little worried, but he just did it with such ease,” said Schillaci.

The driver’s wife Jodi trains Quandary Hanover, who has now earned $35,768. Bucaria spotted the horse during a visit to Rosecroft Raceway and was impressed with his effort in an overnight event on July 11—in which he brushed to the front in an opening quarter of :26.4.

Bucaria and the Schillaci Team earned the same double as they did in the first Sire Stakes leg when they scored their second victory of the night with Whistling Hanover in a later race. Another gelding by Riverboat King, he won in 1:57.3 and paid $14.40. Bucaria shares ownership in Whistling Hanover with Skipper Matthews.

Trainer Ed Hart continued his winning streak in the New York Sire Stakes when Happy Hylight, a Pro Bono Best colt he just got in his stable 10 day earlier, won the first event of the evening in 1:57.1. With driver Stephane Bouchard on board, the colt brushed quickly to the lead at the half and held off favorite Big Al’s Delight despite a tough challenge.

Limo Service continued his tight finishes with another nose victory in 1:58.2 for owner-trainer Sam Trombley and Jack Siegel. He fought back in the stretch to retake the late charging Flight Path. In his last start, the Riverboat King colt won his Sire Stakes division by the same margin.

Also winning on the card were Jeremy (Magical Mike) in 1:55.4 (one-fifth off the track record for colts); Kenneth J (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:56.1; Island Delight (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:57; and Basilio Blue Chip (Bettor’s Delight) in 1:58.2.

Stallions Bettor’s Delight and Riverboat King and driver Bouchard all had three winners on the card.