The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) made its third visit to Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Aug. 3) and featured the two-year-old pacing colts and geldings who competed for a total of $107,000 in purses.
The highlight of the night was when Human Cocktail (Huntsville-Losta Matzah) rallied late to win the second $53,500 division in 1:53.3 and set a new Batavia Downs track record for two-year-old pacing colts.
Kid From The Bronx left hard and led by a gapped three length margin through panels of :27.1 and :55.3 with Human Cocktail and Its A Me Mario trying to keep pace. Moving past five-eighths, Its A Me Mario came with a rush and took the lead from Kid From The Bronx at three-quarters but the race was far from won.
Around the last turn, Kid From The Bronx fought back and, as the two were stacked, forced Human Cocktail to go three wide heading into the stretch. As Kid From The Bronx and Its A Me Mario began to tire, Human Cocktail rolled past them both in the middle of the track and pulled away to a half-length victory over the fast-closing Thunder Hunter Joe in 1:53.3, which was also a lifetime mark.
After moving up from Excelsior "A" action, it was the first NYSS win for Human Cocktail and owner Stephen Demeter, who also bred the winner along with Blue Chip Bloodstock and Daniel Zucker. Gareth Dowse trains the colt. Jim Morrill Jr. drove the $3.90 winner.
Earlier there was a major upset in the first $53,500 split as Huntinthelastdolar (Huntsville-
American Fling went right to the front while Huntinthelastdolar settled in second for a perfect trip. American Fling went :27.4 and :58.3 on top by three lengths at the half, where Johnny Sack pulled first over and tried to move into contention.
With the added pressure from the outside, American Fling sped to the third panel and Huntinthelastdolar started gapping in the hole, but that all changed again in the last turn. Johnny Sack began to fade and Huntinthelastdolar was tight again on American Fling's back. When the passing lane opened, McNair dipped into it with Huntinthelastdolar and paced away from the tiring American Fling to win by 1-1/2 lengths in a lifetime-best 1:55.1.
It was the first lifetime start and NYSS victory by Huntinthelastdolar for his owners Steve Heimbecker and Gregg McNair, who also trains the colt. Crawford Farms bred Huntinthelastdolar. Doug McNair piloted the $19.20 winner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 6) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.
(Batavia Downs)