by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Nichols, NY — He’s Gorgeous and Jason Bartlett posted the fastest mile of the afternoon for freshman pacing colts in the New York State Fair Stakes on Sunday (August 16) at Tioga Downs.

He’s Gorgeous scored in 1:52.3 for driver Jason Bartlett.

The duo paced out from the gate to take command of the field past the quarter pole in :27.4, Bartlett then tapped the brakes, reaching the half-mile pole in :57. He’s Gorgeous was asked to step away from the field and he responded, pacing a third quarter in :28.1 and a final panel of :27.2 to stop the timer in 1:52.3.

The mile was a new lifetime mark for the 2-year-old son of Art Major-So Ravishing who was purchased by Ken Jacobs as a yearling for $97,000. Linda Toscano trains He’s Gorgeous, who with the win captured his fourth victory of the year in six seasonal starts and pushed his career earnings to more than $50,000.

“Kenny (Ken Jacobs) said he could get a little lazy on the front end, but when I yelled at him he was gone from there,” said Jason Bartlett in the winner’s circle.

Fred Brown photos

Whata Winner won his State Fair Stakes event in a track record of 1:57.2.

Whata Winner and Jim Doherty captured a leg of the State Fair Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters in a track record time of 1:57.2. The gelded son of Credit Winner-Whata Chippie left the gate and cut through his own fractions of :28.1, :57.4, and 1:27.4 before coasting home a winner with a final panel of :29.3. Doherty also trains and co-owns with Thomas Dillon and Terrax Inc. With the victory Whata Winner increased his bankroll to more than $28,000 for the partnership.

Also capturing victories for 2-year-old colt trotters were Carnegie (Stephane Bouchard) in 2:00.1, Jackson Leebrook (John Stark, Jr.) in 1:59.3, and Waldorf Hall (Howard Parker) in 1:58.3.

Freshman pacers who also found their way to the winner’s circle on Sunday afternoon included Bettor Again (Stephane Bouchard) in 1:54.4 and Takemewithyou (Greg Merton) in 1:55.

Jason Bartlett enjoyed a driving triple on the afternoon, while Stephane Bouchard and Howard Parker each posted doubles.

Tioga Downs continues racing action with a special Wednesday card on August 19 with a post time of 1:30 p.m. For more information on Tioga Downs please visit www.tiogadowns.com.