Nichols, N.Y. — Sons of Art Major prevailed in two of three $37,267 New York Sire Stakes events for harness racing 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Friday (July 17) evening at Tioga Downs.
Talk Show ($2.70) set the speed standard for the evening in the first split, carded as race 5 on the 12-dash card. Scott Zeron brushed out of third with the son of Art Major and Lush Limbaugh, pushing clear after a :26.4 initial quarter and subsequently staving off a stern first-over challenge from Major Hill (Jim Taggart, Jr.). After repelling that challenge, Talk Show sprinted clear of pocket rival Roll With Fred (Jim Morrill, Jr.) for a 2-1/2 length triumph, turning in a 1:52.3 mile over fast going.
Steve Elliott trains Talk Show for the Pegasis Investment Group, the Team S Racing Stable, and the Barbara Bongiorno Stable.
Travel Playlist ($12.00, out of Village Madonna) was the second Art Major son to capture a co-featured Sire Stakes event, showing a potent late turn of foot to beat odds-on favorite Skip Jive from a pocket trip. Andy Miller found racing room in upper stretch with the race's third choice, and Travel Playlist accelerated to a 1:53.4 victory as soon as he was availed a clear lane.
Erv Miller trains Travel Playlist for owner Ronald Michelon.
The final New York Sire Stakes race of the evening went to Joe Larry N Curly ($2.90), a 1:53.1 winner off an aggressive middle move. Jim Morrill, Jr. vacated midfield with a circuit to go, brushing the son of Roll With Joe and Life's Image to a clear lead after a :56 half mile. At the top of the stretch, he edged clear of pocket rival Fine Diamond (Aaron Byron), holding sway from a late-rallying Bottom Deals (Scott Zeron) to prevail by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:53.1.
Trainer Mark Harder co-owns Joe Larry N Curly with Joseph Jannuzzelli and Dawn Colucci.
Mach It a Par makes it three straight
The evening's $12,000 Mares Open Pace saw Mach It a Par ($3.20) employ her patented stretch kick once again, rallying off a second-over trip to beat Shutthefrontdoor (Scott Zeron) in 1:53.1 for her third consecutive victory. Owner Dan Clements drove the 5-year-old Mach Three mare, and Ronnie Morales, III handles the training duties.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (July 18) evening, with first post at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time.
by James Witherite, Tioga Downs