Two-year-old trotting colts and geldings found themselves in the spotlight Tuesday afternoon at Tioga Downs, as the New York Sire Stakes rolled into town with four divisions on tap.
Cruising In Style captured his $27,750 affair in 1:56 for the tandem of driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Andrew Harris. The son of Muscle Mass-SOS Respect got away second before getting shuffled to third at the mid-way point of the mile. Bartlett, who came first-over in the third quarter, took over command while racing parked at the third marker in 1:27.1. A :28.4 closing quarter earned him the win by 1-3/4 lengths over Funknpancakes in 1:56. Troller was third.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Cruising In Style won at first asking for Thestable Cruising Group of Guelph, Ont.
Fourth Dimension pulled off a 12-1 upset in his $27,750 assignment for the tandem of driver Brian Sears and trainer Marcus Melander. Sears had the longshot on the lead through panels of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.3 before using a :28.4 closing quarter to seal the deal by 3-1/4 lengths over Purpose Blue Chip in 1:55.2. Don took home the show dough.
The son of Chapter Seven-Corazon Blue Chip, who was a $200,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale, is owned by Courant Inc of Delray Beach, FL.
Fashion Forever clicked at odds of 13-1 in his $28,250 division for the team of driver Corey Callahan and conditioned Jim Campbell. Callahan sat fourth through the first half before going first-over in the third quarter. A :29.1 closing quarter propelled Fashion Forever to the two-length triumph over the odds-on favourite, Lunar Credit, in 1:58.3. Third prize went to Chasin Dreams.
The son of Credit Winner-Yalta Hanover, who was a $150,000 purchase from the 2016 Lexington Select Yearling Sale, is owned by Fashion Farms LLC of New Hope, PA. The gelding is a full-brother to Perfect Alliance (1:51.2 - $257,351).
Clive Bigsby used last second heroics to nab a win in the final division for driver Chris Lems and trainer George Ducharme. The son of Muscle Mass-Northern Flare survived early interference before rallying for a neck decision over race favourite Six Pack in 1:56.2. Rounding out the top three in the $27,750 affair was Handsome Devil.
George Ducharme Stable LLC and Winters Racing Stable share ownership on the gelding who was a $40,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.