The first NYSS race of the evening is the third race on the card, with a purse of $67,420. The morning line even money favorite is Russell Hill, occupying the 4 hole, with the always talented Jim Morrill Jr. at the lines. This talented 3-year-old has finished in the money in 9 of 10 starts, including 5 wins, earning over $228,000. He is also perfect in Sire Stakes starts at Monticello and Yonkers, doing the mile in 1:59.1 at each venue. Russell Hill is a brown colt by Conway Hall-Southwind Maywood. Jimmy Takter trains him.

If anyone will give Russell Hill a hard time, it will be Tip the Tide with Howard Okusko Jr., a brown colt by Conway Hall-Olympics. The 3-year-old has 5 wins in a row, including an impressive win in the Tompkins Geers at Tioga Downs, in an impressive 1:57.4. Look for these two colts to duel it out in the first stakes race of the night.

The seventh race on the card is the second stakes race, with a purse of $67,420. The early favorite at 5-2 is America, with Ray Fisher Jr. in the sulky. This trotter went wire-to-wire in his last NYSS appearance at Yonkers in an impressive 2:00.1, also finishing in the money in all his other NYSS appearances this year. America is a colt by Conway Hall-American Wish. Richard Norman trains him.

Close behind at 3-1 is Rookie Mistake at the rail with Jim Morrill Jr. driving. this Jody Weidman trained colt. This will be Morrill’s first drive on the 3-year-old, but changing drivers hasn’t seemed to hinder his performance in the NYSS this season, picking up a win in Goshen on July 5. Rookie Mistake is by Cr Excalibur-Nowhere Fast.

The most financially successful colt in the hunt for the top-prize of $33,710 is Monaghan Man from the 3 hole with Bruce Clarke. This fast 3-year-old has two NYSS wins to his credit this season, most notably a win at Yonkers on June 19 in 159.4. Monaghan Man is a brown gelding by Malabar Man-Corfad Dream and is trained by Ray Van Dreason.

The final NYSS race of the evening is the tenth race on the card, with trotters vying for $66,220. This race is wide open; however, the morning line favorite at 5-2 is Mikey, driven by Jim Morrill Jr. This 3-year-old has placed in two other NYSS contests this season. His best was 2:00.2 at Goshen on July 5. Mikey is a brown gelding by Malabar Man-Lavabowl. John Butenschoen trains him.

Just behind in the early odds is Spin Spanky Spin at 3-1 on the far outside with driver-trainer Dan Daley at the lines. This gelding by Conway Hall-Spin the Planet has fared well this season in the NYSS, picking up a win at Goshen on July 5 in 2:01 and a place at Yonkers on June 19.

In recognition of the first NYSS evening of the meet at Batavia Downs Casino, Batavia Downs Casino and the Harness Horse Breeders of New York are proud to sponsor a NYSS baseball cap giveaway on Friday. The first 1,000 patrons to Players Club beginning at 5:30p.m. will receive a coupon for a cap that may be redeemed after the seventh race. Patrons who then wear their hats on future NYSS race nights (August 28, September 2, September 4 and September 26, night of champions finals) will receive $2 in Batavia Downs Casino free play when they check in at Player’s Club. Be sure to come out to America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track this Friday night for exciting New York Sire Stakes racing. Post time is 7:05.

Todd HAIGHT