Molotov Cocktail stole the show with eye-popping domination in his division of the $101,700 New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Wednesday night (Aug. 4) at Batavia Downs.
Six trotters went postward for $50,400 in the second division, and Scott Zeron left hard with Molotov Cocktail (Chapter Seven-Moonlight Cocktail) from post five, but got parked three-deep to the quarter in :28.4. But that difficult opening had no effect whatsoever on the colt, who cleared, opened up two lengths, and then proceeded to annihilate the field.
Molotov Cocktail hit the half in :58.3 and then backed off the third quarter to 1:28.3, but had also opened up a six-length lead at that point. Circling the final bend, Molotov Cocktail stretched that margin to seven and then while Zeron sat chilly down the lane, the colt swelled up and extended his lead to 11 lengths at the line, where he won in 1:57.4.
It was the second win of the year for Molotov Cocktail ($4.30). Hall of Famer Linda Toscano trains the colt for Richard Gutnick, Thomas Pontone and Gary Cocco.
In the $51,300 first division, Quincy Market (E L Titan-Dance To Market) was a convincing gate-to-wire winner in a personal best effort.
Corey Callahan left like a rocket from post six in the field of seven with Quincy Market and took the lead three strides into the race. After settling on the pylons halfway into the turn, Grand Spa (Scott Zeron) followed in second, and after two horses behind them broke at the eighth pole scattering the field, these top two were ahead by 15 lengths. From there, it basically became a match race. The 7-5 co-favourites continued to trot one-two through a :59.3 half and 1:29.2 three-quarters.
Quincy Market looked strong on the point and had a three-length advantage over Grand Spa in the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Grand Spa was still gapped and then made an unfortunate break, taking him out of contention. From there, Quincy Market trotted home under mild urging from Callahan and was the easiest of winners in 1:59.3, which was a new lifetime mark.
Quincy Market’s career outing was his second lifetime win, both coming in NYSS action, and he hasn’t missed the board all year. John Butenschoen trains Quincy Market ($4.90) for the Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV, Berg Bros. Stable and the Yorwollahan Racing Team.
Jason Bartlett had another stellar night at the Downs, scoring four driving wins during the evening.
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 7) with post time at 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)