I'll Drink To That and American Courage get NYSS wins at Tioga.

Tioga Downs hosted two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshmen pacing colts & geldings on Saturday (August 1).

I'll Drink To That (Jim Morrill Jr.) wins the $53,100 first division.

 Major Bean (Jason Bartlett) went straight to the front.  Sexy Blue Chip (Wally Hennessey) took over the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :28.0.  Major Bean went back to the front as they headed for the stands for the first time.  He led to the half in :57.3.  I'll Drink To That ($14.60) made his move going first-over down the backstretch.  He led to three-quarters in 1:24.4.  

 I'll Drink To That continued to lead as they made the turn for home.  Carrythetorchman (Marcus Miller) came flying as they hit the stretch but I'll Drink To That was too strong to win in a lifetime best of 1:53.2.  Carrythetorchman had to settle for second.  Sexy Blue Chip finished third.

 I'll Drink the torch is a 2-year-old colt by American Ideal-Margarita Monday.  Trained by Chris Ryder for owners Craig Henderson, Lawrence Minowitz, Robert Mondillo, and Oompa's Farm.

American Courage (Matt Kakaley) remains unbeaten with easy with in the $52,200 second division.

Major Makover (Wally Hennessey) held a slight lead hitting the first quarter first in :27.0.  Sauvignon Bluechip (Tyler Buter) took over the lead right after the first quarter but that was short lived when American Courage ($2.70) came flying by and took the lead with a lap to go.  He hit the half in :56.0.  Garrett's Drama (Jimmy Whittemore) came first-over to challenge as they reached the backstretch.  American Courage cruised to three-quarters in 1:24.1.

As they headed down the stretch it was all American Courage winning easily in a lifetime best of 1:51.3  Sauvignon Bluechip was second best.  Major Makover finished third.

American Courage is a 2-year-old colt by American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip.  He is owned by Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC and trained by Travis Alexander.  He is now five for five in his young career.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (August 2) with a 13-race card starting at 1 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.