Tioga Downs welcomed two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings as well as three divisions for two-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday (July 16).
Wild Ticket (pictured above) won the $54,500 first division for colts and geldings. Show Me grabbed the early lead but Wild Ticket took over just before hitting the quarter in :28.2. He used a :30 second quarter to be first to the half in :58.2. Situationship made a three-wide move going down the backstretch and battled for the lead. Wild Ticket was first to three-quarters in 1:26.4. As they reached the stretch, Wild Ticket found another gear and won easily in 1:55.1. Situationship finished second and Show Me was third best.
Wild Ticket is a two-year-old colt by Chapter Seven-Onthewildside. Marcus Melander trains for owners AMG Stables, Kjellgren, Heights Stable and Mantorp LLC. The win was his first in two starts. Brian Sears steered the $13.40 winner.
Nottingham shocked the field in the $55,500 second division for colts and geldings. Bargain was first to the quarter in :28.2. He used a :29.1 second quarter to be first to the half in :57.3 and cruised to three-quarters in 1:26.3. As they made the turn for home, Nottingham emerged first-over and went all out after eventual second-place finisher Bargain. Nottingham motored right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. Devious Mojito As was third.
Nottingham is a two-year-old colt by E L Titan-Marian. He is owned by Exceed Stables and trained by Jenny Melander. Nottingham is now two-for-three lifetime. Marcus Miller drove the $46.20 winner.
R Melina took the $35,900 first division for fillies. Sadbirdstillsinging was first to the quarter in :28.3. R Melina went on by and took over with a lap to go. She was first to the half in :58. Star Attraction went first-up to challenge as they headed for the final turn. R Melina led to three-quarters in 1:27.3. As they made the turn for home, R Melina shook off Star Attraction and cruised home to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.3. Sadbirdstillsinging was second and Epoch finished third.
R Melina is a two-year-old filly by Chapter Seven-Goodtogo Hanover. She is trained by John Butenschoen for owners M&L Of Delaware LLC and Alabama Harness Association LLC. The win was her second in three outings. Tyler Buter sat in the bike behind the $3.20 winner.
Sister Mary Maude captured the $35,900 second division for fillies. Erin jolted to the lead and led to the quarter in :28.2. Sister Mary Maude went on by and took the lead with a circuit to go. She was first to the half in :59. Erin went first-up to challenge for the lead heading for three-quarters. Sister Mary Maude got there first in 1:27.2 and flew down the stretch to win in a lifetime best of 1:56.3. Shirin got second money and Hippie Shake finished third.
Sister Mary Maude is a two-year-old filly by Crazy Wow-Perfect Match. Ron Burke trains the streaking filly for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, William Switala and James Martin. The win was her fourth (consecutive) from five starts. Joe Bongiorno drove the $3.50 winner.
Date Night Hanover grabbed the $36,600 third division for fillies. Senorita Palema put up all the early fractions -- a first quarter in :28.3 and a slowed second quarter of :29.4 to hit the half first in :58.2. Date Night Hanover made her move first-up from third while Senorita Palema was first to three-quarters in 1:27.3. Date Night Hanover and Senorita Palema traded blows all the way down the stretch with the former surging by late to win in a lifetime best of 1:56. Senorita Palema had to settle for second and Communion Money finished third.
Date Night Hanover is two-year-old filly by Chapter Seven-Dont Wait Up. Owned by Jeff Snyder and Onda Racing Stable while trained by Marcus Melander, she is now two-for-two. Brian Sears drove the $5.10 winner.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday, July 21, with the card starting at 6:15 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Tioga Downs)