Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings took centre stage at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Wednesday, August 30, as a pair of $91,550 New York Sire Stakes divisions of the New York Sire Stakes were won by sons of Chapter Seven.
Lord Cromwell (Chapter Seven- Oh Oh Its Magic) was moved out to the early lead by driver Jim Morrill Jr. in his split, and the Ed Hart trainee ended up rebuffing a challenge from the favoured Eye Ofa Tiger As (driven by Jason Bartlett) before posting a career best win in 1:54.3. The win time was just one fifth of a second off the all-time track record for three year old trotters. Eye Ofa Tiger As had to settle for second but extended his streak of finishing first or second to eight consecutive starts.
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Lord Cromwell, victorious at Saratoga on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 (Photo courtesy Melissa Simser-Iovino)
Swell Chap (Chapter Seven- Gia) recorded his first NYSS victory on Wednesday, as he went coast-to-coast with Wally Hennessey in the sulky. The Todd Rooney-trained trotter sizzled through a first quarter (:27.3) before backing things down and getting a fairly soft middle half. Swell Chap held strong in the stretch to record his fifth win of the campaign. His win time was 1:55.4. Cresurrey (Credit Winner), part of a Trond Smedshammer-trained entry, wound up as the runner-up to Swell Chap.
New York Sire Stakes action will return to Saratoga this coming Saturday night when two-year-old trotting fillies will be in the spotlight.
Live racing at Saratoga will continue on Friday night with a first-race post time of 7:05 p.m.
(With files from Saratoga)