Something has got to give in the first $59,100 division of the New York Sire Stakes at Buffalo Raceway for the three-year-old trotters on Sunday afternoon, as five of the six entrants are coming in off a victory in their last start.
Who will keep their streak alive?
Scheduled as the second event on the 12-race program slated to begin at 1:05 p.m., there's a lot of intrigue in this field when the boys take to the Hamburg half-mile oval.
The race will feature a battle between Wings Of Royalty and Buen Camino who finished second and third, respectively, in last year's New York Sire Stakes two-year-old colt and gelding final at Yonkers behind champion Crazy Wow.
Both Wings Of Royalty and Buen Camino seem to be rounding into mid-season form entering Sunday's clash.
Wings Of Royalty (to be driven by Chris Lems) has been in the money five times in his last six starts. But that last try was a victory, as he trotted in 1:54.1 over the Vernon Downs surface on July 11, winning by one and a quarter lengths. Wings Of Royalty (RC Royalty-Sparkling Cider) has won $47,777 this season and $174,449 and drew the rail.
Buen Camino (Cash Hall-Baby Bella), when last seen, was taking a two and a half-length win in 1:54.3 at Tioga Downs on June 28 in sire stakes competition. Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer is the 2-1 morning line favourite with Buen Camino, a winner of $58,949 in 2015 and $209,285 lifetime. They'll score from Post 3.
Military Blue (Mike Simons), Royal Lad (Mark MacDonald) and Andy Ray (Daniel Dube) are also arriving with a victory in their last outings. Military Blue won by one and a quarter lengths in 1:55.2 at Tioga Downs on July 11, Royal Lad posted a three-quarters-of-one-length score in 1:57.2 victory on July 10 at Vernon Downs, while Andy Ray had a one and a quarter-length edge in 1:58.1 at Goshen on July 5.
Gabe The Bear Dean (Ray Schnittker), the only non-winner in his last try, was second in an Excelsior 'A' at Goshen in July 5, so expect him to involved in the mix as well.
Royal Deceptor leads the field in the second $51,900 division, slated as the fourth race. He went gate-to-wire in 1:57.4 at Goshen in a non-betting Excelsior 'A' race. Royal Deceptor (RC Royalty-Art Of Deception) has won five times in eight starts this season and gets the services of Michael McGivern in the sulky from Post 4.
Maestro Blue Chip (Smedshammer) started out the season on a promising note, winning twice and finishing second in another race. But things went south the past three outings as he has been out of the money. Maestro Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Up Front Hotsey) hopes the rail will help this time out and has been tagged the 2-1 morning line choice.
The sophomores will be aiming at the track mark of 1:56.4 set by Cash Me Out in 2014.
There are a pair of $15,000 Excelsior 'A' Series races on the program along with two $6,600 Excelsior 'B' battles.
(Buffalo Raceway)