Tioga Downs will welcome three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (June 28).
In the $38,233 first division the horse to beat is the Ray Schnittker trained Splash Brother (Tyler Buter). The 3-year-old gelding by So Surreal is two for two this season after being winless as a freshman. He put in an eye popping 1:48.2 mile his last time out at the Meadowlands.
His main rivals will be Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) and Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley). Major Betts (Art Major), who is trained by Mark Harder, will make his 2020 debut on Sunday. He has four wins and has earned over $130,000. Blake Macintosh trains Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe). The 3-year-colt is winless in two starts as a sophomore after seven wins and 10 starts as a freshman. He has earned over $230,000 in his career.
The top choice in the $38,233 second division is the John Buteschoen trained Blank Stare (Corey Callahan). The Roll With Joe gelding has four career victories and has amassed over $50,000 in earnings. He is one for one in 2020 with an easy win at Pocono Downs.
Always On The Hunt (Mark MacDonald is one for one in 2020 and should be a top rival after earning a win at Tioga Downs last Sunday. The 3-year-old colt by American Ideal is trained by Ray Scnittker and has two lifetime wins.
Reagan Blue Chip (Brian Sears) should a top contender. The 3-year-old gelding by American Ideal did not race as a feshman but is one for three with two seconds in 2020. He is trained by Casie Coleman Herlichy.
Freedom Warrior (Dexter Dunn) has five career wins and earnings of nearly $150,000). The gelding is trained by Kevin Lare.
The top contenders in the $38,934 third division appears to be JK Last Chance (Wally Hennessey), Ideal Perception (Brian Sears), Cigars And Ports (Mark MacDonald) American Rebel (Tyler Buter),and Save Me A Dance (Jason Bartlett). This appears to be the most competitive of the three divisions.
JK Last Chance (So Surreal) had an impressive win at Tioga Downs last Sunday in his first career start. Jim McDonald trains the gelding.
Ideal Perception (American Ideal) is trained by Casie Coleman Herlichy. He is winless in 2020 but had four wins as a freshman. He has earned over $60,000 in his career.
Cigars And Ports (So Surreal) is the top money earner in this group with over $190,000 in the bank. Trained by Ray Schniitker, he won the NYSS final as a freshman. The colt has three career victories.
American Rebel (American Ideal) is trained by Rob Harmon. The colt had five wins as a freshman including a lifetime mark of 1:53.2 at Tioga Downs. He owns five wins and earnings of over $140,000.
Save Me A Dance (Heston Blue Chip) is coming off an impressive win in his 3-year-old debut at the Meadowlands. He has four career wins and has earned over $110,000 in his career. The colt is trained by Andrew Harris.
The 13-race card on Sunday (June 28) starts at 4 p.m.
For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com
