It’s not too often that Hambletonian competitors make their way to Batavia Downs, but that will be the case Friday night (September 4) when the New York Sire Stakes’ three-year-old trotting colts and geldings convene at the fast half-mile oval in upstate New York.
A total of 13 horses will race in two divisions (slated as Race 3 and Race 4) to compete for a total of $120,400 in purses.
The first $60,200 leg features Fashion Creditor (Credit Winner-Bon Voyage) as the 5-2 morning line favorite.
Besides competing in the NYSS, Fashion Creditor has been facing many of the top juvenile trotters on the Grand Circuit all year, including a start in the first elimination of the $1 million Hambletonian. After having gotten away last and being forced to deal with a breaking horse in front of him, Fashion Creditor rallied to finish only three and one-half lengths behind the race (and eventual Hambo) winner, Pinkman, and was only a half-length shy of qualifying for the final. And then on August 15, he was a narrowly-beaten fourth in the $200,000 Colonial Trot at Pocono Downs.
Fashion Creditor took his lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at the Meadowlands Racetrack on July 31, the first of three consecutive races that he was timed in 1:52 and change. His six in-the-money finishes (that include two wins) have earned him $83,805 for the year. Jim Morrill Jr. will drive for trainer Tom Fanning.
Fashion Creditor’s toughest competitor appears to be Royal Deceptor (RC Royalty-Art Of Deception) who has put together a solid campaign this year.
Although Royal Deceptor has two NYSS wins and one Excelsior series tally, he did not fare as well in the $255,325 Empire Breeders Classic or the $370,000 Zweig. He was solidly beaten in both of those races, but has still managed to put away $114,588 for the year.
Michael McGivern will drive Royal Deceptor again for trainer Cheryl McGivern, which has been the case for the horse’s entire career.
In the second $60,200 division, Wings of Royalty (RC Royalty-Sparkling Cider) will put his impressive resume on the line. He is the odds maker’s choice at 5-2.
Much like Fashion Creditor, Wings Of Royalty has faced some of the best trotters in his class this season. He finished one and one-half lengths behind Pinkman in the Zweig in 1:52.1 before finishing fifth behind Hambletonian runner-up Mission Brief in the Hambo elimination. Although he qualified for the final, he drew Post 9 and was never a factor in the race. He just missed qualifying for the final of the $580,000 Yonkers Trot last week after having finishing fifth, but he is listed as the also eligible for the race.
Wings Of Royalty is the highest money earner in this race for 2015 with $148,223 made on the strength of three wins, only one of which was in NYSS action. Chris Lems drives Wings Of Royalty for trainer George Ducharme.
A major threat to the favourite’s success will come from Mythology Bluechip (Crazed-Sirenuse), who is now racing for a new barn.
Mythology Bluechip was sold on July 7 and switched trainers to Nancy Johansson. The story isn’t that the colt had been racing poorly for his previous connections, but more the bad posts he’s drawn for his new owners. He has had three nine-holes and an 11 in his last five starts, and last week, when he started from Post 5, he was interfered with. The horse has shown gate speed as well as closing ability and his 1:53.1 mark at the Meadowlands this year is the fastest of all the competitors in Friday’s race.
Marcus Johansson will make a rare Batavia Downs visit to drive for trainer Nancy Johansson, who also does not compete at the venue too often.
There are also two $15,000 NYSS Excelsior Series ‘A’ legs on the card and they have been programmed as Race 2 and Race 5.
(Batavia)