Hamburg, NY --- The final installment of the New York Sire Stakes starts the closing week of the 2015 racing season at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (July 22).
The last day of racing at the Hamburg half-mile oval, located at the Erie County Fairgrounds, is Sunday (June 26).
The 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters will compete in two divisions with each carrying a purse of more than $51,000. While the fields may be small, it doesn't mean that they are short on talent.
A select field of four go to the gate in the opener. Rose Run Ransom (Crazed-Bring It On Lindy) is the early even money choice for driver John Plutino from the three post. After breaking at the start in his last outing, Rose Run Ransom rebounded nicely and finished a solid second in the $37,556 Sire Stakes race at Yonkers on July 13.
Uncle Dan (Conway Hall-Risk Seeker) could be the main threat after winning a $15,000 Excelsior 'A' race at Yonkers on July 13 in 2:02.2. Jim Morrill Jr. gets the call on Uncle Dan and is tagged at 9-2 in the morning line from the four post.
The second division has a definite Western New York flavor as the unbeaten Dayson (Conway Hall-Nervey's Taurus) headlines the field. He has been perfect in all four races, two of which were in Sire Stakes and the other two in qualifiers.
Dayson, owned by Margaret Butler and Amy Butler, won by 2-1/4 lengths at Yonkers on July 13 and took a 1-1/2 length decision in 2:00.1 at Saratoga on July 2, both $37,556 Sire Stake events. He's been over the Buffalo Raceway half-mile track as well, notching a 17 length victory in 2:05 in a 2-year-old race on June 16.
The Howard Okusko-trained Dayson will have Jeff Gregory in the sulky for the first time and drew the two post as the heavy 3-5 morning line choice.
Former Western New York regular John Cummings Jr. brings in Gremlin Wilson (Sand Vic-Savanah Montana). They set the pace in their last start in the Sire Stakes at Yonkers on July 13 before stalling out in the stretch to finish third.
Chargin Cadet (Conway Hall-Arabella Hall), a $75,000 Harrisburg sale purchase last year, has been nibbling for a victory, taking third in a pair of Sire Stakes races for trainer and former Western New Yorker Ray Schnittker. He'll get the services of Jordan Stratton in the sulky from the five post.
The Dan Daley entry of Smalltownthrowdown (Cash Hall-Ana's Promise) and Royal Bachelor (RC Royalty-Becca) get the one and three spots, respectively, but need to be on their best behavior at the start. Both Smalltownthrowdown (Daley) and Royal Bachelor (Morrill) were each off stride in the beginning of their tries which put a damper on their chances.
There will also be three divisions of the Excelsior 'A' series on the 12-race card along with two Excelsior 'B' division races. Post time is 5 p.m.
For more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.