Paprike Blue Chip set a track record winning the first of two divisions for the $112,000 New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Tioga Downs on Saturday, September 9.
Rock Lights carved all the early fractions, going :26.4, :54.4, 1:22.4. Paprike Blue Chip and Jim Morrill Jr. went from fourth at three-quarters to first by two lengths at the top of the stretch. Owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, Crawford Farms Racing, and VIP Internet Racing Stable, the John Buetenshoen trained two-year-old gelding would fly in the stretch to set the Tioga Downs track record in 1:50.0.
Silver Arrow charged late to finish second. Keystone Tenacious finished third.
For Paprike Blue Chip, by Roll With Joe out of Bliss N Vinegar, it was his fourth win in nine starts including three legs of the NYSS.
Hitman Hill remained undefeated winning the other NYSS division in 1:52.1.
Casual Cool led at the first quarter in :26.2. Approaching the half, Hitman Hill and Brett Miller circled to take the lead. Jersey Jim challenged and took over just before hitting the half in :54.3 and led going to three-quarters in 1:23.1.
Hitman Hill, who is owned by Tom Hill with Northfork Racing Stable and trained by Chris Oakes, jumped out of the pocket and took the lead at the top of the stretch, holding off Casual Cool, Topville Olympian, and My Delight all charging late.
Hit Man Hill dug in and held on for his fifth-straight win including, four of which were in the NYSS. The son of American Ideal out of Fox Valley SHaker returned $2.20 to win.
Topville Olympian finished second with Casual cool taking third.
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday, September 15 for the last weekend of the season.
(With files from Tioga Downs)