HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Thus far in 2014, two different divisions
of the New York Sire Stakes have visited Buffalo Raceway and left town with two
track records.
On Friday night, the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers will
have their work cut out for them if they want to set a new mark in their
division.
The 3-year-old mark is also the same as the all-aged time of
1:52.3 set by Steelhead Hanover in 2012. But the way records have been falling
at the Hamburg half-mile oval, with a fast track and warm weather expected,
boys will be boys and anything can happen.
Earlier this season in the Sire Stakes, Sweetnsinful went
1:54.1 to establish a new mark standard for the 3-year-old pacing fillies while
Glowngold notched a 1:59.0 mile to etch her name in the record book for
3-year-old filly trotters.
The first $60,200 division will go off as the fifth race on
Buffalo Raceway's 13-race card which starts at 6:40 p.m. The Ron Burke-trained
entry features Forty Five Red (If I Can Dream-Sakura Hanover) and Keystone
Hanover (Bettor's Delight-Heavenly Killean). Forty Five Red won $167,554 last
season and finished fifth in an elimination the Art Rooney at Yonkers back on
May 24.
Keystone Hanover (Kevin Cummings) has started in three NYSS
events this year with two third place finishes. The Burke entry is listed as
the 3-1 morning line choice.
Ari Allstar has faced some rugged tests in his career. He
was a finalist in the $534,500 Govenor's Cup at The Meadowlands in November,
finishing eighth and was fourth in the $500,000 Breeder's Crown final at Pocono
Downs in October. It looks like he's rounding into form for trainer Mark Ford
as he posted a 1-1/4 length victory in a $15,640 conditioned pace on June 16 in
1:53 at Mohawk. Mark McDonald is the scheduled driver.
The remainder of the field includes Murder He Wrote (Jeff
Gregory), Neat (Brent Holland), Believeinthespirit (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Moliere
Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.)
The second division could be considered the stronger one
with the likes of Archetto Hanover, Twin B Speedo and Ideal Cowboy.
Archetto Hanover is trained by Erv Miller and comes in with
$157,026 in lifetime earnings, $137,076 of which came in 2013. He posted a
1:53.2 clocking in his last appearance at Yonkers and will score from the three
post for Cummings.
June has been a great month for Twin B Speedo (3-1) with a
win at Tioga Downs, a second place at Yonkers and a third at Vernon Downs in
Sire Stakes competition. He's been in the money in all six starts in 2014 and
has bankrolled $57,172 and $142,433 lifetime. He'll start from the five hole
for McDonald and trainer Mark Ford.
Ideal Cowboy (4-1) is definitely classy with a win on June
19 in the $74,000 Sire Stakes at Yonkers Raceway in 1:52.4. Trained by PJ
Frawley, Ideal Cowboy competed in the $920,000 North American Cup at Mohawk on
June 14 but finished ninth. Jim Morrill Jr. must navigate him from the six
post.
The rest of the field includes I'm All Heart (Matt Kakaley),
Sir Sam's Z Tam (Jack Flanigen), Western Conquest (Brent Holland) and El
Bloombito (Jeff Gregory).
There will also be two $12,500 Excelsior A races for the
3-year-old colt and gelding pacers along with a pair of $6,500 Excelsior B
races. The $10,500 Open Trot is also featured with local favorite Lutetium
returning to battle five other foes.
For more information including race replays, results,
upcoming promotions and the latest news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
