The best three-year-old pacers in New York took center stage at Tioga Downs on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes and five divisions of the Excelsior Series.
The first division of the NYSS featured Fool Me Once as the bettors 1-5 choice and he did not disappoint. Sent to the front by regular pilot Scott Zeron, the Mark Austin-trained son of Art Major and Fool That I Am rolled through fractions of :26.4, :55.3 and 1:22. Second choice Sir Carys Z Tam sat in the pocket waiting for an opportunity to pounce in the stretch, but was only able to get to the wheel of Fool Me Once right as they crossed the wire in 1:50.2.
Fool Me Once came into today undefeated in NYSS events and was fourth in the standings with half as many starts as those above him. The win was his seventh in nine starts in 2013 pushing his lifetime earnings to just above $375,000. He is owned by the Mark Austin Stables Inc. of Fergus, Ont. and Daniel Smith of London, Ont.
In the second of two NYSS events, Bet The Moon made a little bobble behind the gate, but was able to overcome it quickly to settle in second behind Source Of Pride through a spirited opening quarter of :26.1. Jim Morrill Jr. and Bet The Moon waited patiently in the pocket as Source Of Pride rolled the field past the half in :55 flat before sprinting down the backside to a three-quarter in 1:21.4 (a 26.4 third quarter). From there, the duel was on as Morrill pulled Bet The Moon from the pocket and up to challenge Source Of Pride. Bet The Moon looked like he was going to roll right past and clear the leader, but Source Of Pride dug in and fought back to exchange the lead a few times through the stretch. When they reached the wire, Bet The Moon placed his head in front and stopped the timer in 1:50 flat.
The Bettors Delight-Sun N Moon colt won for the second time in two weeks at Tioga for trainer Ron Burke and Pennsylvania owner Edwin Gold after last week capturing a division of the Tompkins-Geers. He may be putting his Tioga win streak on the line next week as he is one of several of today’s NYSS horses that are eligible for the rich Empire Breeders Classic, a New York-bred race for three-year-olds. Eliminations are next Sunday and the final two weeks away.
Also on the card were five divisions of the Excelsior Series for New York-breds. The winners of those events were Royce Blue Chip (1:52.2), Leap Of Faith (1:53.3), Pull The Ripcord (1:54.3), Bettorsluckystreak (1:53.3), and Militia Man (1:52.4).
New York Sire Stakes action continues Monday night at Tioga with two-year-old pacing fillies. Post time is set at 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)