Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings took centre stage at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Wednesday, August 30, as a pair of $91,550 New York Sire Stakes divisions of the New York Sire Stakes were won by sons of Chapter Seven.

Lord Cromwell (Chapter Seven- Oh Oh Its Magic) was moved out to the early lead by driver Jim Morrill Jr. in his split, and the Ed Hart trainee ended up rebuffing a challenge from the favoured Eye Ofa Tiger As (driven by Jason Bartlett) before posting a career best win in 1:54.3. The win time was just one fifth of a second off the all-time track record for three year old trotters. Eye Ofa Tiger As had to settle for second but extended his streak of finishing first or second to eight consecutive starts.

Lord Cromwell, victorious at Saratoga on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 (Photo courtesy Melissa Simser-Iovino)

Swell Chap (Chapter Seven- Gia) recorded his first NYSS victory on Wednesday, as he went coast-to-coast with Wally Hennessey in the sulky. The Todd Rooney-trained trotter sizzled through a first quarter (:27.3) before backing things down and getting a fairly soft middle half. Swell Chap held strong in the stretch to record his fifth win of the campaign. His win time was 1:55.4. Cresurrey (Credit Winner), part of a Trond Smedshammer-trained entry, wound up as the runner-up to Swell Chap.

New York Sire Stakes action will return to Saratoga this coming Saturday night when two-year-old trotting fillies will be in the spotlight.

Live racing at Saratoga will continue on Friday night with a first-race post time of 7:05 p.m.

(With files from Saratoga)