Dynamic Youth and Mark MacDonald established a new track record for three-year-old gelding pacers on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in a division of the New York Sire Stakes.
Settling in next to last in a field of six, Dynamic Youth and MacDonald watched as an early battle for control produced quick fractions of :26.2 and :54.1. The race favourite, Coral Snake (George Brennan), was battling with Major Bombay (Jason Bartlett) for the lead when Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) launched their first over bid. Morrill had Steelhead Hanover right at Coral Snake’s throat by three-quarters in a blistering 1:21.4. Around the final turn, Forever Just (Tim Tetrick) looked to be a winner tipping three-wide off cover, but MacDonald unleashed Dynamic Youth off Tetrick’s helmet for the win in 1:49.3.
The mile destroyed the previous record for three-year-old gelding pacers of 1:50.4, set by Art Z from 2011.
The win was the fourth in nine seasonal starts for the three-year-old son of Bettors Delight and Always True, who is trained by Aaron Lambert for the partnership of J And T Silva Stables LLC, Kenneth Tucci, and C And G Racing Stable.
“I settled him in second from last and as they were battling up front he acted like he wasn’t interested," said MacDonald following the win. "When we got to the five-eighths mark he caught the field and had a really nice kick off of cover around the final turn and paced home great.”
In the final division on the afternoon, Heston Blue Chip was making his first start back since his fourth-place finish in the Meadowlands Pace.
It was back to business as usual as Heston Blue Chip and Tim Tetrick took control by the three-eighths pole and cruised to an open length victory in 1:49.2. The mile equalled his track record that he set only six weeks ago in the Historic Series.
The three-year-old son of American Ideal and Shot Togo Bluechip will be heading to the Empire Breeders Classic eliminations back at Tioga Downs on Sunday, August 5.
Capturing the other division of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt pacers were Racing Rocky and Tetrick in 1:51.2 for trainer George Teague Jr.
Tioga Downs continues live racing on Friday, August 3 with a post time of 6:50 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)