A pair of New York Sire Stakes divisions for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings will be in the spotlight on Wednesday (August 7) at Batavia Downs.
Third Shift (Chapter Seven-Overnight Command) and Barn Holden (Conway Hall-Barn Babe) are currently the top two NYSS point-getters and money earners in their age, gait and gender group, and will both be on hand for the Wednesday stop.
The $52,000 first division (Race 5) will feature Third Shift.
Third Shift has recorded two lifetime wins, both of which came during NYSS action. He finished second in the other start after a break that set him back at Yonkers Raceway. He just took a lifetime mark of 1:54.4 at Vernon Downs last week in a come-from-behind performance that has him coming into his Wednesday race perfectly spotted. Trainer Ake Svanstedt will drive Third Shift from post two at 5-2 morning line.
Third Shift’s main threat on Wednesday appears to be Bourbon Express (RC Royalty-Kasha), who cut the mile and finished third behind Third Shift at Vernon last week. He has drawn Post 1. Bourbon Express will have Jason Bartlett aboard at 2-1 for trainer Jessica Okusko.
Barn Holden has been installed as the even-money morning line favourite for the $51,000 second division (Race 7).
Barn Holden has recorded two wins this year and is also coming in off a new lifetime mark at Vernon Downs. Barn Holden led the entire mile and trotted away down the stretch to win by four and a half lengths in 1:55.3. His other win also came on the front end. Kevin Cummings will steer the Steve Pratt-trained Barn Holden from Post 2.
Berkery J (Chapter Seven-Southwind Catlin) will look to stand in the way of another Barn Holden win and has shown he has the ability to do so. He threw a huge mile at Yonkers Raceway three starts ago when he won by more than seven lengths in a life’s-best 1:58.2. Trainer George Ducharme has called on Jason Bartlett to perform the driving duties. The duo will start from Post 4 and is 2-1 on the morning line.
The card will also feature two trotting divisions of the Excelsior ‘A’ series that have been carded as Race 2 and 4.
The card will kick off with a first-race post time of 5 p.m.
(With files from Batavia Downs)