Karinchak came from the back of the pack to capture the $161,096 leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Tioga Downs on Saturday, Aug. 30.
Karinchak and driver Mark MacDonald sat sixth and last through the opening half as Seven Layer (Ridge Warren) led to the quarter in :27.2 before being confornted by Happy Jack B (Tyler Buter), who took over control with a lap to go and was first to the half in :56.
Favoured Variegated (Mattias Melander) came first-up from fifth to challenge as they headed down the backstretch, towing Karinchak into second over position as Happy Jack B tripped three quarters in 1:24.4.
As they entered the stretch Karinchak flipped off the helmet of Melander and came flying home. Seismic Step (Niko Karna) also showed late trot in the four path, but Karinchak had the jump and won by a neck over Seismic Step in 1:55.1. Happy Jack B had to settle for third.
Karinchak is a three-year-old colt by Chapter Seven, owned by Ted Gewertz, Arden Homestead Stable, Steve Arnold, and trainer Ray Schnittker. The win was his fourth this season, fifth lifetime, and lifted his earnings to $403,623. He returned a healthy $17.60 to win.
Low Inside (1:57.3 for trainer-driver Dan Daley; $11.00) prevailed in the single $27,397 Excelsior Series division.
Live harness racing returns to Tioga on Sunday, Aug. 31 with a first post time of 1 p.m.
(Standardbred Canada; with files from Tioga)