by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway has seen 10 track records
either tied or broken during the 2018 season and when the 2-year-old colt and
geldings step onto the racing surface Wednesday night (July 18) in a pair of
$53,500 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS), a pair of long-standing
marks could be in serious jeopardy.
The oldest record currently listed is for 2-year-old
geldings of 1:56.3 established in 2010 by Roadside Delight while the colt's
barrier of 1:55.4 was set in 2013 by He's Watching. With near perfect weather
conditions in the forecast, another editing of the record book is possible.
One entrant is already in possession of a track standard at
Monticello and that is Melodies Major (Art Major-Hilarious) who will appear in
the opener on the 10-race card. He's a perfect 2-for-2 in his brief career
including a record time of 1:54.3 at Monticello on July 4. That time erased the
previous barrier of 1:55.2 clocked by Freedomformysoul in 2014.
Melodies Major, who has captured both his Sire Stakes races,
drew the two post and is the even money morning line favorite with Tyler Buter
getting the call in the sulky. Melodies Major has yet to trail in any of his
pari-mutual starts and has amassed $53,250 already.
His main competition could come from Jack Nation, a winner
last time out in the NYSS on July 4 at Monticello in 1:57.0. Drawing the rail
with Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike, Jack Nation (American Ideal-Ladyjack) was 12
lengths behind at one point but closed like a train to pull off the half-length
score over Covered Bridge (American Ideal-Stonebridge Kisses).
The field of six also includes KJ Leo (Jason Bartlett),
Keystone Dakota (Kevin Cummings), Covered Bridge (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Rock
American (Scott Coulter).
The second division, slated for the back half of the early
daily double, looks to be a wide-open event with Bicorne Hanover getting the
slight 2-to-1 morning line edge from the pylons. Cummings will steer the Ron
Burke-trained freshman colt. Bicorne Hanover (Art Major-Boldnbrash Hanover) has
a second and fourth place finish in his two Sire Stakes appearances.
Jojo's Place (Roll With Joe-Angel Place) hopes to get out of
a third place rut. Conditioned by John Butenschoen, he's had two show finishes
in his pair of NYSS outings and will get the services of Bartlett out of the
four spot.
Completing the field will be Shanghai Bobby (Morrill Jr.),
Bean (Coulter), P Zonka (Drew Monti) and Jet Rock (Marohn Jr.).
There are also a pair of $15,000 Excelsior A Series races on
the program and a $6,400 leg of the Excelsior B Series. First post is 5 p.m.
It's the last week of action in 2018 at Buffalo Raceway. For
more information including the latest news, simulcast schedule, upcoming
promotions, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
