Major Betts rocketed past heavy favourite Splash Brother to take the $38,233 first division on New York Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (June 28) at Tioga Downs.
Major Betts shot out of the gate and went to the front, leading to a first quarter in :26.1. Splash Brother moved first over from third and took over the lead with a circuit to go. He led to the half in :53 with Major Betts following in the pocket. As they made the move up the backstretch Groovy Joe tipped first over from third but could not make any traction, faltering promptly as Splash Brother hit three-quarters in 1:21.
Turning for the finish Major Betts popped out of the pocket and blew right by to win in 1:49.4. Splash Brother had to settle for second. Groovy Joe held on to finish third.
Major Betts is a three-year-old colt by Art Major. He is owned by Joe Jannuzzelli, Deena Frost, and trainer Mark Harder. It was a win in his first start of 2020. He now has five victories. Dexter Dunn drove the $10.20 winner.
Blank Stare held firm to win the $38,233 second division.
Genius Man went straight to the lead but Blank Stare circled by him just after the first quarter in :27 and took the field past the half in :55.3. Reagan Blue Chip went first-up and put on the pressure, taking a narrow lead before Blank Stare reclaimed the front, hitting three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Blank Stare and Reagan Blue Chip battled all the way down the stretch but in the end Blank Stare was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:50.1. Reagan Blue Chip was second with Genius Man claiming third.
Blank Stare is a three-year-old gelding by Bolt The Duer. He is trained by John Butenschoen for owners Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV, and In Over My Head Stable. It was his second win this season and he now owns five wins overall. Corey Callahan drove the $3.50 winner.
JK Last Chance captured the $38,934 third division.
Cigars And Port took control early, leading to the first quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55. Save Me A Dance then came first over and took charge just after Cigars And Port hit three-quarters in 1:22.3.
JK Last Chance raced sixth at the half and found himself positioned second over in fourth after three-quarters. He kicked off cover and drew alongside Save Me A Dance as they made the turn for home. JK Last Chance then slid away in deep stretch to win easily in a lifetime best of 1:50.4. Save Me A Dance was second best. Ideal Perception finished third.
JK Last Chance is a three-year-old gelding by So Surreal and is owned and trained by Jim McDonald. He did not race as a two-year-old but is two-for-two as a sophomore. Wally Hennessey drove the $14.80 winner.
Wally Hennessey drove five winners on the night. His other wins came with Mr Dunnigans ($2.20), Cashallic ($2.60), Queen Me Again ($11.60), and Steuben Warlock ($8.80).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Monday (June 29) with a 13-race card stating at 4 p.m. (EDT).
(Tioga Downs)