Tioga Downs played host to three divisions of the New
York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing colts & geldings at Tioga
Downs on Sunday (June 28).
Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) rockets past Splash Brother
(Tyler Buter) to take the $38,233 first division.
Major Betts ($10.20) jumped out of the gate and went to
the front and led to a first quarter in :26.1.
The big favorite Splash Brother went first-over from third and took over
the lead with a circuit to go. He led to
the half in :53.0 with Major Betts following in the pocket. As they made the move down the backstretch it
was Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) to make the first move going first-over from
third. He couldn’t make any traction and
actually fell back as Splash Brother hit three-quarters first in 1:21.0.
As they made the turn for home it was evident that it was
going to be a two-horse race. Major
Betts popped out of the pocket as they reached the stretch and blew right on
but to win in 1:49.4. Splash Brother had
to settle for second money. Groovy Joe
held on to finish third.
Major Betts is a 3-year-old colt by Art Major. He is owned by Joe Jannuzzelli, Deena Frost,
and trainer Mark Harder. It was a win in
his first start of 2020. He now has five
career victories.
Blank Stare (Corey Callahan) holds firm to win the
$38,233 second division.
Genius Man (Jason Bartlett) went straight to the lead but
Blank Stare ($3.50) would go by him just after Genius man hit the first quarter
in :27.0. Blank Stare led to the half in
:55.3. Reagan Blue Chip (Brian Sears)
went first-up and put on the pressure and actually held the lead briefly before
Blank Stare reclaimed the front hitting three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Blank Stare and Reagan Blue Chip battled all the way down
the stretch but in the end Blank Stare was too strong and won in a lifetime
best of 1:50.1. Regan Blue Chip was
second with Genius Man claiming third.
Blank Stare is a 3-year-old gelding by Bolt The
Duer. He is trained by John Butenschoen
for owners Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV, and In Over My Head
Stable. It was his second win this
season and he now owns five career wins.
JK Last Chance captures the $38,934 third division.
Cigars And Port (Wally Hennessey) took control early and
led to the first quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55.0. Save Me A Dance (Jason Bartlett) came first
over and took charge just after Cigars And Port hit three-quarters in 1:22.3.
JK Last Chance ($14.80) was sixth at the half and found
himself second-over fourth after three-quarters. He went along side Save Me A Dance as they
made the turn for home. JK Last chance
skipped away in deep stretch to win easily in a life time best of 1:50.4. Save Me A Dance was second best. Ideal Perception finished third.
JK Last Chance is a 3-year-old gelding by So Surreal and
is owned and trained by Jim McDonald. He
did not race as a 2-year-old. The
gelding is two for two as a sophomore.
Wally Hennessey drove five winner on the night. Along with sire stakes winner JK Last Chance
he finished first with Mr Dunnigans ($2.20), Cashallic ($2.60), Queen Me Again
($11.60), and Steuben Warlock ($8.80).
Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Monday (June 29)
with a 13-race card stating at 4 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com<http://www.tiogadowns.com/>
