The New York Sire Stakes for the two-year-old colt and gelding pacers hit the track at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, July 9, with the rookies battling in two divisions with each race carrying a purse of approximately $55,000 USD.
The first event will go as the third race, and it will be headed by Fragment (Huntsville-The Show Returns).
Fragment was an easy four-length winner in his debut in the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway on June 19. Starting from the two post, Fragment came back from third place and easily cleared the field in 1:55.1.
Things might be a little tougher this time around as driver Jason Bartlett will steer the Per Engblom trainee from post seven.
The main threat could come from Aggieville (Huntsville-Certified Ideal). He steps up from the Excelsior Series after romping to a six-length score at Yonkers in 1:57.3. Aggieville, who is conditioned by Jenny Melander, gets Kevin Cummings in the sulky and will start from the six hole.
Another challenger could be Killing Joke (American Ideal- Q T Pie Hanover). Starting from the fourth position on the starting grid for driver Braxten Boyd on Wednesday, Killing Joke was second in the NYSS at Yonkers, losing by 6-1/4 lengths.
Others in the opening division include Lakewood Nick (Jody Jamieson), Artistic Lover (Mark MacDonald), Ideal Rebel (Tyler Buter) and Wonka Bar (Doug McNair).
A pair of Ray Schnittker trainees top the second bracket with Casper The Ghost (Huntsville-Ghostofthepost) and Knoxville (Huntsville-Lets Fall In Love).
Knoxville arrives fresh off a 10-1/2-length decision at Historic Goshen Race Track on July 4 as he covered the mile in 1:57. He got the tough seven hole on Wednesday with MacDonald back aboard.
Stablemate to Knoxville, Casper The Ghost was third to Fragment in the NYSS at Yonkers, losing by 4-3/4 lengths. Casper The Ghost will begin from post five and will get the driving services of his trainer Ray Schnittker.
Hunt Off The Press (Huntsville-Off The Press), used a big rally but came up short to Fragment in the NYSS, having to settle for second. Buter will be in the bike for trainer Jared Bako.
The remainder of the fifth race field include Shaw Time (Bartlett), The Quiet Cowboy (Leon Bailey), Brave Warrior (Cummings), American Renegade (Jamieson), and Johnny Wiggles (McNair).
The 14-race program will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a $20,000 USD Excelsior event set to open the card.
(Buffalo Raceway)