Al looks to make it three straight victories to start his racing career as he headlines the field of six in the $106,400 USD New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) at Buffalo Raceway for the talented two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Wednesday afternoon, July 16.
While AI (Chapter Seven-Image Of Bee) arrives in town with an unblemished record, there are five other participants who are more than capable of ruining his perfect record.
AI rallied in his debut to a 1-3/4-length victory in 1:58.3 at Saratoga Raceway and followed that with a front-end decision in 1:59.1 at Monticello Raceway, both in New York Sire Stakes, earning $87,930. The Ron Burke trainee drew the two spot and will have Yannick Gingras back aboard after their successful Saratoga partnership.
Titans Mischief (E L Titan-Morosito Bi) got the inside post and will have Matt Kakaley in the sulky for trainer Bruce Clarke. It appears that Titans Mischief will be the main threat to AI after finishing second to him by 1-1/4 lengths at Saratoga and then registering a neck victory in a separate Sire Stakes division at Monticello in 2:01.3.
Angry Pete (E L Titan-Mamora Bay) has a pair of second-place finishes in Sire Stakes action. He has yet to square off against AI but finished a tough-luck second by a neck to Titans Mischief at Monticello. He'll start from the four post for trainer/driver John Stark Jr.
Local upstart Credito (Credit Winner-Paya La Renta) is owned by Ilovemyharnesshorse Tito of nearby Niagara Falls, New York and will have Kyle Swift driving for trainer Ryan Swift from the three-hole.
Muir Woods (E L Titan-Sausalito) has started twice in the Sire Stakes and finished third and sixth in his two tries after making breaks in both races. Tyler Miller will try to get the Jenny Melander trainee back on track from the fifth spot.
The other rookie in the field will be Rubens (Chapter Seven-Got You Br NO), who is conditioned by John Butenschoen and will have Jim Morrill Jr. at the controls starting from the six post. Rubens was fourth in his career debut in the Kindergarten at The Meadowlands.
The New York Sire Stakes will go off as the fifth race on the 11-race program that begins at 2:30 p.m. A $20,000 USD Excelsior race will be contested in the second race for the young trotters.
Buffalo Raceway is starting its final week of the 2025 campaign with cards set for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and the year concludes on Sunday with a special noon post.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)