The $148,333 New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old male pacers were at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 7) and both divisions were won by heavy favourites. 

The second $72,917 split went to Fast Choice (Courtly Choice-Fashion Guru) who remained undefeated with driver Doug McNair holding the lines. 

Fast Choice got away third as Groovin Will (Greg Merton) marched to the half in a very pedestrian 1:01. As the race advanced to the five-eighths, Fast Choice pulled first-over and cleared the front in a :28.2 third panel. From there, Fast Choice bolted home on top by two lengths in a :27.2 closer to win in 1:56.4. 

The win was the third straight win for Fast Choice ($3.40), who is owned by Ashley Bako of Blooming Grove, NY and Randy Zane of Laval, Que. and trained by Jared Bako. Winbak Farm bred the winner. 

The other $72,917 division went to Thirsty Thursday (Huntsville-Tequila Monday) who equaled his lifetime mark with an impressive outing. 

Thirsty Thursday (Matt Kakaley) took the lead from Courts On Fire (Greg Merton) passing the :28.4 quarter and never looked back from there. After getting to the half in :57.4, Thirsty Thursday faced challenges from Oogleville (Jason Bartlett) and Holt Hanover (Mark Macdonald) going to three-quarters, but he turned back both by the top of the lane. As they straightened for home, Thirsty Thursday was under Kakaley wraps and coasted home clean in 1:54.3.

Thirsty Thursday ($2.30) is now three for three lifetime for owners/breeders Flying A Racing Stable of Bear Creek Township and Chuck Pompey of Archbald, PA. Travis Alexander trains the winning colt. 

There were also three $27,778 Excelsior stakes on the card. 

The first was won by Southpaw (American Ideal-Love You Bye) in 1:57.1 for driver/trainer/owner/breeder Jimmy Whittemore. 

The second went to Digging For Gold (Huntsville-Gold Orchid N) in 1:56.3, driven by Tyler Buter for trainer George Ducharme who co-owns with Jim Winske and Dr. Megan Moschgat. Bamq bred the winner. 

The third was won by Invictus (Huntsville-Dark Force) in 1:56.4, driven by Jim Morrill jr. for trainer Roland Mallar and owner Jeffrey Nanna. James Crawford IV bred the winner. 

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 10) at 6 p.m. 

(Batavia Downs)