Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs features two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for sophomore trotting colts and geldings on Friday (July 19). Unbeaten Gimpanzee is the headliner as he will be making his third start of the year.
Gimpanzee (Brian Sears) is the 3-5 favorite in the $59,800 first division. The colt by Chapter Seven is trained by Marcus Melander for owners Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. After going nine-for-nine as a freshman he is two-for-two so far this season. He picked up wins in the Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs and a NYSS leg at Yonkers.
The second choice is the Jennifer Lappe trained Mr Vicktor (Tyler Buter). The colt by RC Royalty has won six times in seven starts this season. He is owned by Lappe, Robert Santagata, Diamond Pride LLC and Joe Lee. He has NYSS wins at Vernon Downs, Monticello, Buffalo and Yonkers this season. The colt’s only blemish in 2019 was a second place finish to Gimpanzee in the Empire Breeders Classic final.
In the $60,900 second division Cavill Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) is the 2-1 morning line favorite. The Muscle Mass gelding is trained by Ake Svanstedt for owners Little E LLC, Borje Nasstrom and Wolfgang A Stable Inc. He has a win, two seconds and a third in six starts this season. The gelding has four career victories.
Travel Winner (Tyler Buter) and Winnerup (Trond Smedshammer) are the chief rivals. They are both the second morning line choices at 7-2. The Nifty Norman trained Travel Winner is a colt by Credit Winner. He has four wins this season for owner James Fleming. Winnerup is trained by Smedshammer for Purple Haze Stables. The colt by Credit Winner has NYSS wins at Vernon Downs and Monticello. He has a total of three wins this year and four career victories.
The 13-race card starts at 6:15 p.m. For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.