Tioga Downs played host to three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (August 15).
Making his NYSS debut, Early Action ($2.50) and driver Jason Bartlett were victorious in the afternoon's $34,200 opening division.
Gone Before Dawn (Marcus Miller) grabbed the early lead but KJ Hunter (Matt Kakaley) went to the front just before hitting the quarter first in :27.2. Bluesvillie (Tyler Buter) then took over the front spot with one lap to go and led to the half in :56.4. Gone Before Dawn then made a move down the backstretch and led to three-quarters in 1:23.3.
As they reached the stretch, Early Action came flying first-over and blew right on by to win easily in a lifetime-best of 1:52.2. Gone Before Dawn held on for second. Greg The Leg (Mark MacDonald) used late pace to finish third.
Early Action is a colt by Huntsville out of Fashion Katie. He is trained by Joe Holloway for owners Val D’Or Farms and Ted Gewertz. The win was his second in four lifetime starts.
Fresh off an August 2 victory in NYSS action at Monticello Raceway, Flip My Chip ($7.70) popped the pocket to win the $33,000 second division with Marcus Miller aboard.
Bounty Hunter (Brian Sears) went straight to the front but Flip My Chip grabbed the lead on the way to the first quarter in :28.1. Forrest Blu (Tyler Buter) got the lead as they went by the stands for the first time and led to the half in :57. Bounty Hunter made a move first-over as they headed for the final turn but his wheels just sputtered as Forrest Blu led to three-quarters in 1:25.1.
As they made the turn for home, Flip My Chip powered out of the pocket and battled second-place finisher Forrest Blu all the way down the stretch. Flip My Chip got by just before hitting the finish line in a lifetime-best of 1:53.1. Seven Hundred (Wally Hennessey) finished third.
Flip My Chip is a gelding by Heston Blue Chip out of Restive Hanover. Erv Miller trains for owners Sara Miller and the Ervin Miller Stable Inc. The win was his third lifetime from five starts.
The streaking Stretch The Line ($4.60) and Tyler Buter gave trainer Erv Miller another NYSS victory, taking the $34,200 third division.
JD (Mark MacDonald) led to the first quarter in :27 before Pickup Man Hanover (Billy Dobson) took the lead with a circuit to go, reaching the half in :56.4. Stretch The Line then took over the top spot as they headed down the backstretch and he led to three-quarters in 1:23.4.
As they reached the stretch, Pickup Man Hanover came back to challenge but Stretch The Line was too strong and won in 1:53 flat. Pickup Man Hanover had to settle for second with JD getting third money.
Stretch The Line, a Huntsville-Jessalilmixup gelding, is owned by Rock And Roll Stable Inc., and Ervin Miller Stable Inc. He now has five wins from seven career starts, including back-to-back NYSS scores in the previous legs at Saratoga and Monticello.
Live racing continues at Tioga Downs on Thursday, starting at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)