After five attempts in the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS), two-year-old trotting colt Karinchak had a breakthrough in the Monday, Aug. 12 leg at Monticello Raceway.

Leaving from the inside post in the $140,411 Sire Stakes, Karinchak and driver Mark MacDonald pushed to the fore in the first turn, pocketing Variegated (Braxten Boyd) and led the compact field of five through first half fractions of :31 and 1:01. As Karinchak headed down the backstretch the final time, favourite BJMs Lil Man (Tyler Buter) moved underway from fourth looking for his fifth straight win, but Variegated got the jump on him and pounced from the pocket to gain a short lead outside of Karinchak by 1:30.3. However, Karinchak fought back around the turn and drew two lengths clear with :28.4 final quarter speed for the 9-1 upset in 1:59.2. Variegated settled for second and BJMs Lil Man finished third.

The Chapter Seven-Sianna Hanover colt, who was a six-figure yearling purchase from last year's Lexington Selected Sale, is owned by trainer Ray Schnittker and partners Theodore Gewertz, Arden Homestead Stable and Steven Arnold. 

Karinchak was a third-place finisher in his career debut in the June 24 leg of the NYSS at Saratoga Raceway, marking his best result until Monday's maiden-breaking effort. He returned $21.40 to win.

A pair of $27,397 Excelsior Series divisions ended in close calls with Low Inside (Devious Man-Nowerland Kristen) prevailing by a nose over Mane Man Charlie in 2:03 for trainer/driver Dan Daley and Poblano (Chapter Seven-Shishito) winning by a neck in 2:00.1 over Magic Brilliance with Jason Bartlett driving for trainer Per Engblom. The former colt is now a four-time Excelsior winner while the latter earned his first career victory.

(Standardbred Canada)