HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway has seen 10 track records either tied or broken during the 2018 season and when the 2-year-old colt and geldings step onto the racing surface Wednesday night (July 18) in a pair of $53,500 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS), a pair of long-standing marks could be in serious jeopardy.

 

The oldest record currently listed is for 2-year-old geldings of 1:56.3 established in 2010 by Roadside Delight while the colt's barrier of 1:55.4 was set in 2013 by He's Watching. With near perfect weather conditions in the forecast, another editing of the record book is possible.

 

One entrant is already in possession of a track standard and that is Melodies Major (Art Major-Hilarious) who will appear in the opener on the 10-race card. He's a perfect 2-for-2 in his brief career including a track record time of 1:54.3 set at Monticello on July 4. That time erased the previous barrier of 1:55.2 clocked by Freedomformysoul in 2014.

 

Melodies Major. who was captured both his Sire Stakes races, drew the two post and is the even money morning line favorite with Tyler Buter getting the call in the sulky. Melodies Major has yet to trail in any of his pari-mutual starts and has amassed $53,250 already. 

 

His main competition could come from Jack Nation, a winner last time out in the NYSS on July 4 at Monticello in 1:57.0. Drawing the rail with Jim Morrill Jr. in the bike, Jack Nation (American Ideal-Ladyjack) was 12 lengths behind at one point but closed like a train to pull off the half-length score over Covered Bridge (American Ideal-Stonebridge Kisses).

 

The field of six also includes KJ Leo (Jason Bartlett), Keystone Dakota (Kevin Cummings), Covered Bridge (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Rock American (Scott Coulter).

 

The second division, slated for the back half of the early daily double, looks to be a wide-open event with Bicorne Hanover getting the slight 2-to-1 morning line edge from the pylons. Cummings will steer the Ron Burke-trained freshman colt. Bicorne Hanover (Art Major-Boldnbrash Hanover) has a second and fourth place finish in his two Sire Stakes appearances.

 

Jojo's Place (Roll With Joe-Angel Place) hopes to get out of a third place rut. Conditioned by John Butenschoen, he's had two show finishes in his pair of NYSS outings and will get the services of Bartlett out of the four spot.

 

Completing the field will be Shanghai Bobby (Morrill Jr.), Bean (Coulter), P Zonka (Drew Monti) and Jet Rock (Marohn Jr.).

 

There are also a pair of $15,000 Excelsior A Series races on the program and a $6,400 leg of the Excelsior B Series. First post is 5 p.m.

 

It's the last week of action in 2018 at Buffalo Raceway. For more information including the latest news, simulcast schedule, upcoming promotions, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com