Hunt Off The Press ($3.30) stole the headlines in the New York Sire Stakes for the two-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Wednesday, July 9 at Buffalo Raceway with a rousing 7-1/2-length thumping of his rivals in 1:56.4.
Almost as impressive was Fragment ($2.70), who showed that his victory in the New York Sire Stakes at Yonkers Raceway back on June 19 was no fluke as he made it two straight victories with a one-length win over Lakewood Nick in his $73,649 division.
Hunt Off The Press, who lost by four lengths to Fragment at Yonkers in the NYSS on June 19, showed he is going to be a force to be reckoned with as the series marches on.
In the early going, Hunt Off The Press sat back as several breaking horses around the opening turn caused some commotion in a :28.4 first quarter. But as things settled down, Hunt Off The Press (Tyler Buter) blasted his way to the top and the race was basically done after that in a contest that was worth $75,000.
With middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.2, Hunt Off The Press gave Fragment a little something to think about later in the year as he crossed the finish line comfortably in front. Shaw Time (Jason Bartlett) was second and The Quiet Cowboy (Leon Bailey) picked up the show cheque.
Owned by Thomas Grossman and conditioned by Jared Bako, Hunt Off The Press (Huntsville-Off The Press) tallied his first career victory. With the win, he moved his bankroll to $63,615 in two outings.
Fragment won in his career debut at Yonkers with an easy four-length decision in 1:55.1 last month. At Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday, he made it look just as easy.
Starting from the seven post, Fragment was cautiously guided around the first turn by driver Bartlett due to the early inside speed and the breaking Killing Joke (Braxten Boyd). But once maneuvering through the opening turn, Bartlett stepped on the gas pedal and Fragment responded perfectly, hitting the opening panel in :28.2.
With fractions of :57.3 and 1:27 in the books, Fragment just had to deal with Lakewood Nick (Jody Jamieson) and Ideal Rebel (Tyler Buter) down the stretch. While the pair managed to cut slightly into the lead, they couldn't mount a serious rally as Fragment safely crossed the wire in front in 1:55.1. Lakewood Nick was second over Ideal Rebel.
Co-owned by the Engblom Stable LLC and Douglas Sipple, Fragment (Huntsville-The Show Returns) is a perfect two-for-two in his career for trainer Per Engblom, amassing $89,054 in earnings thanks to his NYSS victories.
In the lone $27,027 Excelsior Series event for the young pacing men, Shakeitonthebeach ($4.40) led every step of the way and beat Southwind Iron by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1.
Shakeitonthebeach (Bartlett) took to the top immediately and was able to secure fractions of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.4. Southwind Iron (Boyd) was first-over as they reached the three-quarter pole but couldn't cut into the advantage of Shakeitonthebeach in the lane. Jericho Johnny (Buter) finished in third.
Owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Shane Tritton, the win was the first in two career attempts for Shakeitonthebeach (Huntsville-Wannashakeyourtree). The win was worth $13,513, the colt's first lifetime earnings.
Trainer Samuel Smith added three more victories to his strong seasonal total with a hat trick on the card. His winners were Hp Running Mass ($4.90), Big Bad Mosa ($5.60), and Rumored ($4.30). Smith now leads all trainers at Buffalo with 49 wins so far this season, 11 more than second-placed Chris Petrelli.
Racing will continue on Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 13-race card scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)