There were three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two year old colt and gelding trotters at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Tuesday evening. Each division for the freshman high-steppers went for a purse of $54,500 and in the first division of the night, a new track record for two year olds was set. Marcus Melander’s Gimpanzee (Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows-Muscle Massive) was the public’s 2-5 betting favorite in his installment of the NY Sire Stakes for two year olds and brought a two-for-two career record into the try. Brian Sears marched the colt out to the front end as the freshman stepped away to a lead that grew to nearly five lengths in the early going. After clocking a half in 57.1, Gimpanzee appeared dominant in the final lap before stopping the timer in 1:55.4. The win time lowered the previous track record for two year old trotting colts by a full second, eclipsing the mark set last year by My Lindy Winner (Jim Morrill Jr). The win time also served as a new lifetime best for the freshman trotter whose previous mark was set at Tioga Downs in the start leading up to Tuesday’s race.
Frank Coppola Jr. piloted Horns For Three (Credit Winner-Swoosh Hanover-Lindy Lane) to a wire-to-wire score in the second division of the Sire Stakes on Tuesday. The Ed Hart trainee held off the first-over bid by the favored Our White Knight (Brian Sears) before scoring in 2:00.4. Horns For Three is now a two-time winner in the NYSS as he prevailed at Buffalo last month. The evening’s final division of the NYSS saw Thunder (Conway Hall-Cr Oh Suzanna-Royal Troubador) roll to a first over victory for Scott Zeron. The John Butenschoen trainee recorded the first win of his young career as he toughed it out overland before scoring in 1:59.2.
Live racing continues on Wednesday night at Saratoga with a first post time set for 7:05pm.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
