2-year-old pacers hit the track for NYSS

HAMBURG, N.Y. — The New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers hit the track at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (July 9) and the young men will be battling in two harness racing divisions with each race carrying a $55,000 (approx.) purse.

The first event will go as the third race, and it will be headed by Fragment (Huntsville-The Show Returns).

Fragment was an easy four-length winner in his debut in the NYSS at Yonkers Raceway on June 19. Starting from the two post, Fragment came back from third place and easily cleared the field in 1:55.1.

Things might be a little tougher this time around as driver Jason Bartlett will steer the Per Engblom from the seven post.

The main threat could come from Aggieville (Huntsville-Certified Ideal). He steps up from the Excelsior Series after romping to a six-length score at Yonkers in 1:57.3. Aggieville, who is conditioned by Jenny Melander, gets Kevin Cummings in the sulky and will start from the six hole.

Another challenger could be Killing Joke (American Ideal– Q T Pie Hanover). Starting from the fourth position on the starting grid, Killing Joke (Braxten Boyd) was second in the NYSS at Yonkers, losing by 6-1/4 lengths.

Others in the opening division include Lakewood Nick (Jody Jamieson), Artistic Lover (Mark MacDonald), Ideal Rebel (Tyler Buter) and Wonka Bar (Doug McNair).

A pair of Ray Schnittker trainees top the second bracket with Casper The Ghost (Huntsville-Ghostofthepost) and Knoxville (Huntsville-Let’s Fall In Love).

Knoxville arrives fresh off a 10-1/2-length decision at Historic Goshen Race Track on July 4 as he covered the mile in 1:57.0. He got the tough seven hole and will have MacDonald aboard.

Stablemate to Knoxville, Casper The Ghost, was third to Fragment in the NYSS at Yonkers, losing by 4-3/4 lengths. Casper The Ghost will begin from the five post and will get the services of his trainer Ray Schnittker.

Hunt Off The Press (Huntsville-Off The Press, used a big rally but came up short to Fragment in the NYSS, having to settle for second place. Buter will be in the bike for trainer Jared Bako.

The remainder of the fifth race field include Shaw Time (Bartlett), The Quiet Cowboy (Leon Bailey), Brave Warrior (Cummings), American Renegade (Jamieson), and Johnny Wiggles (McNair).

The 14-race program will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a $20,000 Excelsior race for the boys set to open the card.

For more information including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway