by James Witherite, Tioga Downs
racing media
In the Arsenal triumphant in
three-year-old debut
Nichols, NY -- After his
two-year-old season culminated in a second-place finish in the Breeders Crown,
In the Arsenal ($2.60) made good on his odds-on promise in one of four New York
Sire Stakes events ($110,000 added total purse) for three-year-old pacing colts
and geldings on Sunday (May 17) afternoon at Tioga Downs.
The son of American Ideal and
Ladyotra (On the Road Again) settled well off the early pace, retreating to
fourth after he was caught wide on the first turn behind eventual pacesetter
Gold Coast Muscle (Mike Simons). In the Arsenal would stalk comfortably
from midfield as Soto (Brett Miller) made a push to the fore after a :26.1
first quarter mile, advancing in the breeze to press the pace on the
backstretch. While able to make gradual gains on his own, he found
another gear just before the far turn upon immediate asking from Brian Sears,
making up two lengths on Soto through a :27.1 third quarter. In the
Arsenal continued his pursuit in earnest, dueling with and just collaring Soto
in the final yards, prevailing by a scant neck in 1:50.
Oneisalonelynumber (David Miller) stayed on to finish third after following the
winner's cover.
Kelvin Harrison trains
seven-time winner In the Arsenal for owner-breeder White Birch Farm and the In
the Arsenal Racing partnership.
For Sears, the victory was one
of three on the card, also teaming up with Time Out I'm Tired ($25.00, 1:52.4)
and JK Allnitelong ($8.80, 1:51.4) in a pair of Excelsior events on the
undercard.
Art Major sired two of the
other three New York Sire Stakes winners on the afternoon's program, with
Yannick Gingras driving Sicily ($9.70, 1:51.1) and Cartoon Daddy ($4.30,
1:51.4) to victory in their respective divisions. National Seelster
($5.80, 1:51.4)--who gave futile chase to Wiggle It Jiggleit in the $58,000
Gilmour at the Meadowlands in March--captured the fourth division, with Andy
Miller piloting the Bettor's Delight colt.
A special Monday evening card
is up next at Tioga Downs, with the first of 11 races on May 18 due off at 6:15
p.m. Eastern time.
