Two $52,500 divisions of New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Aug. 7) evening, and there were no surprises as to who won those events, as chalk bettors all went home happy. And between stakes and overnight victories, Jason Bartlett won a total of six races on Thursday.
In the first of the two splits, Fragment (Huntsville-The Show Returns) controlled the field from the lead before pulling away late at 1-9.
Bartlett put Fragment on the point and set soft fractions of 29 4/5, 1:00 and 1:29 2/5 while the rest of the field stayed on the pegs and tried to keep pace. As the race rounded turn four, Fragment started to pull away and he was clear by three entering the stretch. From there, Fragment was completely unchallenged and pulled away by 4 1/2 lengths at the light in 1:56 2/5.
It was the fourth win in five starts for Fragment ($2.10), who is owned by Engblom Stable and Douglas Sipple and trained by Per Engblom.
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Then, in the second event, Hunt Off The Press (Huntsville-Off The Press) also led at every station before turning back a strong late bid for the win.
Quickaway (Jason Bartlett) took the front off the gate but soon relinquished it to Hunt Off The Press (Tyler Buter) at the 28 2/5 quarter. Once settled on the lead, Hunt Off The Press led the group to the half in 57 2/5 and three-quarters in 1:26 3/5 as Quickaway continued to track from the pocket. When they came off the far turn, Quickaway left the pocket and eventually drew alongside Hunt Off The Press as they made their way into deep stretch. However, Hunt Off The Press was ready for the assault, stayed on task and maintained his lead to the wire where he won by a neck in 1:55 1/5.
It was the second win in-a-row for Hunt Off The Press ($2.70), who is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock and trained by Jared Bako.
There were also two $20,000 Excelsior Series paces on the program.
The first was won by Southwind Iron (American Ideal-Southwind Inertia) in 1:54 4/5 for Bartlett and trainer Kevin Lare. Owned by Frank Chick, Southwind Iron returned $3.00.
The second went to Johnny Wiggles (Huntsville-Wiggle Delight) in 1:57 3/5 for Bartlett and Bako. Owned by John Stamatis, Doug McNair and James Georgakopoulos, Johnny Wiggles paid $10.00.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 9) with post time at 6 p.m. (EDT).
--press release (Batavia)--