Smalltownthrowdown threw down the gauntlet early and held on late to win his $61,300 leg of the New York Sire Stakes for the three-year-old trotting colt and geldings in a track record 1:56.2 at steamy Buffalo Raceway on Sunday afternoon (June 26).
The previous record for three-year-old trotting colts was 1:56.4 established in 2014 by Cash Me Out.
In the other division, The Royal Harry led every step of the mile and beat Crazycat by one and a quarter lengths in 1:59.4 over the fast track.
Smalltownthrowdown opened up a commanding six-length lead to the quarter-pole and was cruising, maintaining a two-length cushion turning for home the final time.
But after putting up splits of :29.2, :59 and 1:28, Smalltownthrowdown ended up beckoning for the finish line and held on for a diminishing half-length victory over the never-say-die Drazzmatazz (Francisco Del Cid). Do The Deal (Ake Svanstedt) managed to take third.
"He's good on a half-mile track," driver Dan Daley said of Smalltownthrowdown. "The main thing was getting around the turns here and getting to the lead. That was key."
The relieved Daley smiled when asked about the close finish saying, "He flattened out a little bit in the end, but he got the job done."
The win was was the third in eight starts this season for Smalltownthrowdown (Cash Me Out-Anns Promise) and moved the Daley trainee's earnings to $73,108 in 2016 and $195,073 lifetime.
The Royal Harry also went to the winner's circle in coast-to-coast fashion in the first division with a relatively comfortable decision over Crazycat (Drew Monti).
Setting fractions of :28.4, :59.2 and 1:30, The Royal Harry seemed worry-free in the stretch run, but driver Svanstedt said there was an anxious moment.
"I thought he was going to break stride in the lane, but he got himself back before he did."
Crazycat made a brief rally in the passing lane and settled for second while A Jersey Contract (Jim Morrill Jr.) took third.
Co-owned by Michael and William Pozefsky and trained by Svanstedt, The Royal Harry (Rc Royalty-Wilsonator) now has two victories in four attempts in 2016. The win sent his seasonal earnings to $65,624 and lifetime bankroll to $79,254.
In the $15,000 Excelsior A Series, Reasinforpleasin ($6.60) turned in the fastest time with 2:01.2 with Kevin Cummings in the sulky while Morrill Jr. guided Boxall ($4.60) to a 2:01.3 victory.
Chargin Cadet (Ray Schnittker) took a $6,500 division of the Excelsior B Series with a 2:03.1 time and Thanks For Playin (Chris Lems) got the job done in 2:03.3 in the other leg.
Robert Davis took both divisions of the C.K.G Billings Amateur Driving Series as he steered Christina Victory ($3.50) and Goddess's Justin ($5.30) to wins.
Morrill Jr. finished with a double as well while Buffalo Raceway's leading trainer JD Perrin had two victories.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with 12-race card set. The New York Sire Stakes returns once again with the two-year-old trotting fillies highlighting the program.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)