Tioga Downs will host two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Avenger Force (Matt Kakaley) is the 8-5 morning line favourite in the $51,500 first division from post one. Travis Alexander trains the Huntsville-Apple Delight colt, who has a win and two seconds in four lifetime starts. He owns a NYSS win at Monticello Raceway.
His main threat appears to be the Mark Capone-trained Vandiemen Bluechip (Jason Bartlett), who will start from post five. The Huntsville-Pepperment Patti gelding is the 5-2 morning line second choice. He has two wins from seven starts, including a NYSS win at Yonkers Raceway last time out.
Boston Rocks (Jason Bartlett) is the 6-5 morning line favourite from the inside post position in the $51,500 second division. The Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco Sarah colt is trained by Michael Deters. A seven-time starter, his three NYSS wins were at Monticello, Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs.
The 3-2 second choice, post two starter Huntingforchrome (Tyler Buter), is expected to be his main rival. Jennifer Bongiorno trains the Huntsville-All On Top Hanover gelding, who is a three-time winner from five outings. His NYSS wins have come at Saratoga Casino Hotel and Vernon Downs. He also won a division of the Kindergarten Series at The Meadowlands.
The 11-race card starts at 6:15 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)