by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The New York Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters will take center stage at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (June 12) with two divisions each worth $58,000 (approx.) being up for grabs. Post time for the 13-race card is 5 p.m.
The first race finds fourth of the six entrants all finishing in the money this year in Sire Stakes competition but none able to reach the winner's circle. The other division has two participants with a victory including the red-hot Mr Vicktor who arrives with a pair of scores in the NYSS and a second place finish the $215,200 Empire Breeders Crown race.
The boys will be chasing the Buffalo Raceway track records of 1:56.1 established by Gural Hanover for the geldings in 2014 and the colt mark of 1:56.2 set in 2016 by Purpose Blue Chip.
The first leg has One White Knight (Crazed-Psychotherapist) as the morning line favorite at 2-1 as he'll score from the two post for Jim Morrill Jr. With three consecutive second place finishes including one on June 3 in the NYSS at Monticello Raceway, Our White Knight did take third in the Night Of Champions in the 2-year-old finale last season. Trained by Edwin Gannon Jr., he is the top money earner entered this week with a lifetime bankroll of $160,514.
Livinonthedash (Muscle Mass-Sunshine Glide) drew the six post and will get the services of Tyler Buter. Sitting out as a 2-year-old old, Livinonthedash has four victories in seven tries in his rookie season and is the 3-1 second choice.
The remainder of the first division includes Horns For Three (Kevin Cummings), Powerscourt (Michael McGivern), Lights Come On (Billy Davis Jr.) and Chip Chip Conway (Jimmy Taggart Jr),
All eyes will be on the 8-5 favorite Mr Vicktor in the second division, scheduled as the fifth race. Drawing the rail with Buter in the bike, the front-stepping Mr Vicktor (RC Royalty-Hawaiian Vicky) has four wins in five tries this season including two victories on the NYSS circuit. His last start was a wire-to-wire job in 1:57.1 at Monticello. The Jennifer Lappe-trainee has already amassed $113,632 in earnings this year.
Travel Winner hits the Buffalo Raceway track fresh off a NYSS win in 1:58.2 at Monticello Raceway on June 3. Travis Henry gets the driving assignment for trainer R. Nifty Norman. Travel Winner (Credit Winner-Travelin Supergirl) starts from the two post and is the second choice at 3-1.
Rounding out the field will be Big Money Honey (Mike Simons), Quiksilvr Bluechip (Davis Jr.), Captain Krupnik (Cummings), Kredit Karma (Morrill Jr.) and JNR Express (Drew Monti).
Besides Sire Stakes action, there will be two $15,000 Excelsior Series A races and a pair of $6,600 Excelsior B Series events.
There's a $1,744 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.
For more information including the latest news, race replays, results, entries, upcoming promotions and simulcast schedule, go to www.buffaloraceway.com