by John Horne, for Tioga Downs
Nichols, NY — New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings were on display at Tioga Downs as everyone celebrated a gorgeous Fourth of July. A preview of the future stars of the harness racing world looked promising. The NYSS races were broken up into four divisions.
The first division of NYSS ($27,750) for 2-year-old trotting colts and gelding went to Cruising In Style (Jason Bartlett). A lot of horses tried to leave early, but when they went by the stands for the first time it was Rich Uncle (Mike Simons) who would have his own way until the end of the backstretch. Cruising In Style (Muscle Mass) would go first-over then the duel was on.
Owned by Thestable Cruising Group and trained by Andrew Harris, Cruising In Style ($3.90), would battle Rich Uncle all the way to deep stretch when Rich Uncle would break stride. Cruising In Style would then cruise to finish line in 1:56. Funknpancakes (Corey Callahan) would take second while Troller (Phil Fluet) would finish third.
The second division of the NYSS ($27,750) for freshman trotters went to Fourth Dimension and brand new Hall of Famer, Brian Sears. The 2-year-old by Chapter Seven, would charge out of the gate and control all the fractions, :28.1, :57.4, 1:26.3, 1:55.2 and go gate-to-wire.
Owned by Courant inc. and trained by Marcus Melander, Fourth Dimension ($27.00), was too strong for Purpose Blue (Claude Huckabone III) who finished second. Don (Andy Miller) came up to get third.
The third division of NYSS ($28,250) would be won by Fashion Forever (Corey Callahan). Lunar Credit (Chris Lems) would put up the early fractions :30, 1:00, 1:29, but Fashion Forever (Credit Winner) would charge out of the three-hole and fly right by to lead through the stretch and win in 1:58.3.
Owned by Fashion Farms LLC and trained by Jim Campbell, Fashion Forever, who was purchased for $150,000 as a yearling, paid $29.00 for the win. Lunar Credit would hold for second while Chasin Dreams came flying late to finish third.
In the best race of the day Clive Bigsby (Chris Lems) would run down Six Pack (Ake Svanstedt) to win the last of the NYSS ($27,750) for freshmen colts and geldings. After Church Choir (Mike Simons) set the first quarter mark in :28.1, Six Pack would control the fractions with the half in :51.2 and the three-quarters in 1:26.3. Clive Bigsby (Muscle Mass), who is owned by George Ducharme Stable and Winters Racing Stable while trained by Ducharme, would follow in the pocket the whole way.
Clive Bigsby ($5.80) and Six Pack (second) would trade blows all the way down the stretch. Clive Bigsby would lunge at the wire to win in 1:56.2. Handsome Devil (Brian Sears) finished a distant third.
Tioga Downs returns to live action on Friday (July 7) starting at 6:50 p.m.
For more information please go to www.tiogadowns.com.