HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway begins its final week of the 2019 campaign on Wednesday night (July 17) and the last classification of the New York Sire Stakes will highlight the 13-race program as the 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters will get together for two divisions worth $51,000 each. Post time is set for 5 p.m.

 

Scheduled as the fifth and seventh races on the card, the Sire Stakes attracted 10 youngsters who were split into a pair of five horse fields. 

 

There will be a local flair to the first division as Barn Holden is tabbed the 2-1 choice from the two post for driver Kevin Cummings.

 

Barn Holden (Conway Hall-Barn Babe) is co-owned by the Western New York connections of trainer Steve and Nancy Pratt, the Purple Haze Stable and the Out In The Country Stable. Barn Holden arrives fresh off a gate-to-wire 3-1/4 length victory in NYSS competition at Yonkers. He covered the mile in 1:59.

 

The main threat should come from Sky Castles (Conway Hall-Sand Piper) who drew the inside with Charlie Norris in the sulky. Sky Castles already has a win in the NYSS as he rolled to a 1-1/4 length score in 1:57.4 at Tioga Downs on June 30. In his last appearance at Yonkers, he finished third behind Barn Holden.

 

The rest of the opening bracket includes Hobbs (Jim Morrill Jr.), Bourbon Express (Jason Bartlett) and Clear Sailing (Dan Daley).

 

In the second division, Berkery J looms as the one to beat as he comes off a 7-1/2-length victory in 1:58.2 in the NYSS at Yonkers on July 8. Drawing the rail for Bartlett, Berkery J (Chapter Seven-Southwind Caitlin) also has a solid second place finish at Tioga in his only other career start. He's is the even money choice on the morning line.  

 

Saylor drew the two hole for Doug Ackerman and be the main competition to Berkery J. He set the pace in his last outing at Yonkers in NYSS competition but faded late and took second place, losing by two lengths.

 

Others involved in this race will include Book Seven (Andy Miller), Sing Me A Lalabye (Norris) and Redneckerthenyou (Daley).

 

The track record for the colt freshman trotters is 1:58.4 established in 2016 by Money MacIntosh while the gelding standard is 2:01.2 set in 2013 by The Lindy Treaty.

 

There are also a pair of $15,000 events in the Excelsior A Series and one $6,800 race in the Excelsior B Series on the card.

 

After Wednesday night, Buffalo Raceway will have just two programs left on the season, that being at 5 p.m. on Friday while Saturday, closing night, has a 6 p.m. start time.

 

For more information including the latest news, race replays, entries, results, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com