On Sunday (July 28), New York Sire Stakes action shifted to Batavia Downs, as two-year-old pacing colts and geldings sparred in a trio of $34,866 divisions.
Sandys Bolt (who was driven by Jim Morrill Jr.) started from Post 1 and led for the majority of the race while Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) sat in the garden spot. Morrill set quarters of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:26.3 and took his lead into the stretch. Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk) popped the pocket and went right by Sandys Bolt. He then held off a late-charging American Rebel (Tyler Buter) at the wire to win by a neck in 1:55, which was a new lifetime mark. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Groovy Joe ($3.10), all of which have come in NYSS action. His career purse earnings now sit at $96,795. Hutt Racing and Blake McIntosh own the colt (MacIntosh also performs the training duties). Winbak Farm bred Groovy Joe.
Groovy Joe, pictured victorious at Batavia Downs on Sunday, July 28, 2019.
The other two divisions ended up being ‘The Ray Schnittker Show,’ as they were both won by his trainees in career-best outings.
First, Cigars And Port (So Surreal-Sweet On Art) grabbed the lead before the half and put in a strong effort from there. After getting to three-quarters in front by one and a half lengths, Cigars And Port turned for home and opened up even more, eventually winning by three lengths in 1:55.3. Schnittker drove Cigars And Port ($7.50) and owns in conjunction with Nolamaura Racing, Ted Gewertz and Steve Arnold. Steve Jones bred the Cigars And Port.
In the last division, Teton Sunset (American Ideal-Gray Ghost) sat a perfect trip behind Oreo Dream Xtreme (Jason Bartlett), who cut the mile. Level Up (Jim Morrill Jr.) pushed the pace from outside from the half before finding racing room in the stretch. He pulled away from both of his rivals and went on to win by three and a half lengths in 1:57.1. Teton Sunset ($7.40) was driven by Tyler Buter for trainer/owner Schnittker and his partners David Pepin and Flintlock Farms. The ownership trio also bred the winner.
The card also featured three Excelsior ‘A’ splits that were won by Sunsetboozecruise, I Rolled The Dice and Breakout Session.
Live racing at Batavia will resume on Monday (July 29). Post time will be at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)