Two $79,167 divisions of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) three-year-old pacing colts and geldings lined up at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 31 and a pair of heavily favoured Travis Alexander trainees, Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome, who were directed by driver Matt Kakaley, put on impressive performances to secure victories in both contests.
In the first event, Howlenthehills maintained his control from post one and led the field that lined up in post position order through quarters of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.1 without any provocations from behind. Halfway through the final turn, Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) vacated the garden spot and took his best shot at the leader. But after Boston Rocks got within a length at the top of the stretch, Howlenthehills simply pulled away under a line drive by Kakaley to win in 1:53.3.
The win was the third straight win and eighth win in the last nine starts for Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn), who has now earned $268,850 this year for owner Symmetry Stable. He paid $3.40 to win.
Then in the second split, Huntingforchrome got away last by almost 10 lengths as Vandiemen Bluechip (Braxton Boyd) called the shots on top. While Taranaki (Kevin Cummings) was breathing down his back, Vandiemen Bluechip backed down the half to a tepid :58.3 while stacking up the field before they all entered the third turn.
When the group moved past five-eighths, Brett Beckwith pulled the right line on Ameritric from fourth and Huntingforchrome followed as the pace quickened to three-quarters in :28 flat. Then as they moved through the final bend, Ameritric could not gain ground on Vandiemen Bluechip so Kakaley tipped Huntingforchrome three-high as they entered the stretch. From there, Huntingforchrome closed out a sparkling :26.4 final quarter by bolting for home under no urging whatsoever to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.4.
The triumph was the second win in the last four starts for Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover), who is owned by NY Seb Inc. He paid $2.10 to win.
Howlenthehills and Huntingforchrome were both bred by Crawford Farms.
There were also three $27,778 Excelsior races on the card and one of them went faster than both NYSS events.
Escape To America (American Ideal-Flirtiscape) won easily in 1:53.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Deborah Daguet for owners/breeders John Darrah and Lawrence Keethe.
Bruces VO N Coke (Huntsville-Better Chill Out) won in 1:54.1 with Bartlett also in the bike for trainer John Berger and owner/breeder Joe Meany.
Printville (Huntsville-Thumbprint) scored in 1:53.3 for driver Brett Beckwith and trainer George Ducharme for owner Purple Haze Stables. John Newman bred the winner.
Live harness racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)