Primacy Station moved to the head of his class as he won the $153,056 New York Sire Stakes event for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Primacy Station (Matt Kakaley) got away fifth as Beatle Blue Chip (Niko Karna) led the field to the :27 quarter before Bastonata Bluechip (Tyler Buter) took the front from him as they passed the stands the first time. Bastonata Bluechip then got to the half in :56.1 as his stablemate, Primacy Station, was rolling up the outside quickly.
Primacy Station went from fifth to first by the time he reached the five-eighths, where he crossed over and took command for good. Primacy Station had a 1-1/2-length lead at three-quarters in 1:25, extended it to 3-1/2 at the head of the stretch and 3-3/4 at the finish as he rolled home in 1:54.4. Bastonata Bluechip finished second, followed by El Cucuy (Kevin Cummings).
Primacy Station ($3.48) is now the richest two-year-old pacing male in the NYSS so far this year and is tied with Maries Jet for most points (137) in this division. The son of American Ideal-Preeminence has earned $211,900 with four wins in six starts for owners by Alexander Racing Stable LLC, C M T Farms, EVM Racing LLC and James Scarpias. Travis Alexander trains the colt, who was bred by Spring Station Bloodstock.
There were also two $27,778 New York Excelsior Series races on the program.
The first was won by Hunt Me Down ($6.28) in 1:55.4. The Chuck Connor Jr.-trained son of Huntsville-Planet Ocean was driven by Leon Bailey for owners James Femia, Jim Fielding and Kevin McKinlay.
The second went to Takes Courage ($3.44) as the son of American Courage-Norinoro Hanover stopped the clock in 1:55.4 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander and owner Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC.
In the overnight feature, the $18,750 Fillies and Mares AA-Open Handicap Pace, Think Of Galaxies (Leon Bailey) rode the pocket Utopia Blue Chip (Dale Spence) through fractions of :28, :56.3 and 1:24.3. She tipped out and cruised by pacesetter by 2-1/4 lengths in a seasonal-best 1:54. Elegant Woman A (Drew Monti) closed for show.
Think Of Galaxies, who is owned by Ameer Najor and Thunder Racing Stables Inc., scored her sixth win of the year in 24 starts. The eight-year-old So Surreal-Lightning D Dube mare is 36-for-169 lifetime. The Cory Kreiser trainee was overlooked by the bettors and returned $23.04 in the upset.
Kevin Cummings, Brett MacDonald and Dave McNeight III had driving hat tricks while trainers Travis Alexander and Ron MacDonald won twice each on the 13-race card.
Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Saturday at 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)