Tioga Downs welcomes NYSS colts

Tioga Downs welcomes three harness racing divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for 2-year-old trotting colts & geldings on Sunday (July 18).

In the $34,300 first division of the NYSS, Grand Spa (Scott Zeron) is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Linda Toscano trains the colt by E L Titan-Day At The Spa. He picked up his first career victory with a NYSS win at Vernon Downs giving him a first and a second in two lifetime starts.

His main rival will the Jim Campbell trained Cool Papa Bell (Jason Bartlett). The gelding by Chapter Seven-Blk Thai Optional is unbeaten in two lifetime starts. He picked up NYSS wins at Yonkers and Vernon.

The Jennifer Bongiorno trained Secret Rule (Joe Bongiorno) is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $33,600 second division of the NYSS.

The colt by Chapter Seven-Athena Miss is searching for his first career victory in his third lifetime start. He finished second in a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers.

The second choice is Justice, who is trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt. The colt by Chapter Seven-Religulous is one for one after an impressive NYSS win at Yonkers.

Branded By Lindy (Scott Zeron) is the 2-1 morning favorite in the $33,600 third division of the NYSS. The colt by Chapter Seven-The Lindy Label recovered from an early break in his first career start to finish second in a NYSS race at Vernon. He is trained by Domenico Cecere.

Distance Learning (Brian Sears) look to be his toughest competition. Marcus Melander trains the colt by Chapter Seven-Vintage Oaks. His best finish in two lifetime starts was a second in a leg of the NYSS at Yonkers. The 10-race card starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Tioga downs.

For more information, go to www.tiogadowns.com

by John Horne, for Tioga Downs