A pair of popular Travis Alexander trainees driven by Matt Kakaley sweep the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 18.

Both Howlenthehills ($2.10) and Huntingforchrome ($3) were wire-to-wire winners in their respective divisions.

In the first $78,082 division, Kakaley was intent on leading the way with 1-9 bettors' choice Howlenthehills and pressed forward between a pair of early leavers off the gate to be first to the quarter in :26.2. They stole a breather to the half in :55.2 and raced on to three-quarters in 1:24 with Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxten Boyd) beginning to advance from the back of the five-pack going down the backstretch. But Howlenthehills kept clear on top and widened to two lengths through the stretch with a :27.2 final frame to win in 1:51.2. Vandiemen Bluechip settled for second with pocket-sitter Bruces VO N Coke (Jason Bartlett) third.

Winless as a freshman, Howlenthehills (pictured above) has now won 10 of his 11 sophomore starts, including all six NYSS appearances. His only loss was a close runner-up finish in the MGM Messenger Stakes in late June.

"Last year, he was a little immature, a little rough-gaited. He always had the speed, we just had to get him a little ironed out and this year's been super," said Kakaley. "Travis has done a great job, he got him pretty flawless so far, you know, 10 of 11. He's had a good year so far, so hopefully he keeps going."

The New York stakes star will look to keep the good times rolling in the Empire Breeders Classic back at Tioga next weekend and the New York Sires Stakes Championship at Yonkers Raceway next month.

Howlenthehills, a gelded son of American Ideal and Arielle Lynn, surpassed the $500,000 mark in earnings for Symmetry Stables.

In the second $79,598 division, Kakaley and 1-2 favourite Huntingforchrome left from the inside post and parked out Spring Blake (Mark MacDonald) to the quarter in :26.4. Spring Blake challenged for the lead as they went to the clubhouse turn, but Huntingforchrome kept him at bay as he raced on to the half in :55.3 and three-quarters in 1:25. Getting clearance turning for home, the reigning New York divisional champion Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) popped out of the two-hole and went all out after the leader, but Huntingforchrome was too strong and won easily in 1:52.1 with a :27.1 final quarter putting him 2-3/4 lengths ahead at the finish line. Seen Here (Marcus Miller) closed from last to show.

Huntingforchrome is now four-for-12 this year, with three consecutive NYSS victories. Owned by NY Seb Inc., the Huntsville-All On Top Hanover gelding is an eight-time career winner approaching the $400,000 earnings mark. 

Alexander later completed a training triple on the Sunday card with millionaire pacer I Did It Myway ($2.80) winning the $16,438 Winners Over Handicap in 1:50.1 in rein to Jim Taggart Jr.

Jason Bartlett drove Natameri ($2.90) to a 1:50.1 victory in the $19,178 Open Handicap Pace for trainer Jessica Okusko.

Tioga's leading driver Braxten Boyd had a Sunday to remember as he drove six winners on the 14-race card. He teamed up with trainer Bill MacKenzie for an Excelsior Series win with Jabbar ($8.40) in 1:50.4 and doubled up for the stable winning with National Sport ($6.10). Boyd also partnered with a pair of successful Tee Wine trainees, Exactly My Type ($5) and a dead heat winner Park Street Blues ($2.90), in addition to BB Lucky Boy ($3.20) for Cameron Capone and Bluesville ($6) for Michelle Warner.

The other $27,397 Excelsior Series division was won by the Ray Schnittker-trained Pop It ($4.80) in 1:52 with Mark MacDonald in the sulky.

Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday, Aug. 23 at 6:15 p.m. 

(Standardbred Canada with files from Tioga Downs)