Tioga Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday (Sept. 2) and Huntingforchrome (Tyler Buter) took one of the $51,500 divisions and set a new track record for two-year-old geldings in 1:52.1.
Supplemental Fee (Mark MacDonald) was first to the quarter in :27.4 and Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) took control with a lap to go at the half in :57. He still had the lead at three-quarters in 1:25.1. As they made to turn for home, Huntingforchrome ($3.20) went first-over from fourth and was flying down the stretch to go right on by to set the new record. Boston Red Rocks had to settle for second. Howlenthehills (Matt Kakaley) finished third.
Huntingforchrome is a gelding by Huntsville-All On Top Hanover. He is owned by Robert DiNozzi and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno. It was his fourth win in six career starts.
Vandiemen Bluechip (Jason Bartlett) captured the other $51,500 division.
Darius (Mark MacDonald) went to the front and led to the quarter in :27. He slowed things down with a :30 second quarter to be first to the half in :57. Avenger Force (Matt Kakaley) went flying first-up going down the backstretch and challenged for the lead. Darius held a short lead at the three-quarters in 1:24.4. As they reached the stretch, Darius shook off Avenger Force, but Vandiemen Bluechip ($10.20) made his move and blew right on by to win in a lifetime best of 1:52.3. Darius had to settle for second. Avenger Force was third.
Vandiemen Blue Chip is a two-year-old gelding by Huntsville-Peppermint Patti. He is owned by Samir Tawil, Paul Katz, Nathan Fullmer and Alexander Henn while trained by Mark Capone. He now owns three career victories.
Live racing returns on Sunday (Sept. 3) with an 11-race card starting at 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)