Tioga Downs hosted three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshman pacing colts and geldings on Sunday, July 29. In the $35,866 third division of the NYSS, Melodies Major won for the fourth time in four starts lifetime.

Melodies Major sprinted from the gate to take the lead and controlled the pace through splits of :27.2, :57 and 1:24.3 before advancing to a 1:53.1 victory. Owned by Martin Scharf and trained by Mark Ford, he easily held off a charge from Jack Nation, finishing second, to win in a lifetime best. Rockin Jimmy Brown was third.

Melodies Major is a two-year-old colt by Art Major out of Hilarious. All four of his wins have been in legs of the NYSS. Driven by Tyler Buter, he paid $2.50 to win.

In the $36,566 first division of the NYSS, Major Blake paced the fastest mile of the day, winning in 1:51.4 going coast to coast.

Owned by Matthew Bencic, Howard Berke and trainer Sam Schillaci, he led second-place finisher Hickfromfrenchlick through fractions of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:25 while Reigning Deo chased in third.

Major Blake is a two-year-old colt by Art Major from Bet Your Life. He now has two wins and one second in his career. Tim Tetrick sat behind the $6.50 winner.

Artie’s Ideal was an upset winner in the $36,566 second division of the NYSS.

Buddy Hill paced fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:26.3 on the lead. Arties Ideal was third at the half, went first over just before the three-quarter mark and pursued Buddy Hill in the stretch drive to win in 1:54.1. Buddy Hill settled for second while Jet Rock finished third.

Arties Ideal is a two-year-old colt by American Ideal out of Midnight Art. Owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable and trained by Erv Miller, he won in his racing debut. Marcus Miller drove the $12.00 winner.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday, Aug. 3 at 6:15 p.m.

(With files from Tioga Downs)