Nichols, NY --- Dynamic Youth and Mark MacDonald established a new track record for 3-year-old gelding pacers on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in a division of the New York Sire Stakes.
Settling in next-to-last in a field of six, Dynamic Youth and MacDonald watched as an early battle for control produced quick fractions of :26.2 and :54.1. The race favorite, Coral Snake (George Brennan), was battling with Major Bombay (Jason Bartlett) for the lead when Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill, Jr.) launched his first-over bid.
Morrill had Steelhead Hanover right at Coral Snake’s throat by three-quarters in a blistering 1:21.4. Around the final turn, Forever Just (Tim Tetrick) looked to be a winner, tipping three-wide off of cover, but MacDonald unleashed Dynamic Youth off of Tetrick’s helmet for the win in 1:49.3.
The time destroyed the previous record for 3-year-old gelding pacers of 1:50.4, held by Art Z and set in 2011. It was the fourth win in nine season’a starts for the 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight--Always True, who is trained by Aarom Lambert for the partnership of Silva, Tucci, and C&G Racing.
“I settled him in second from last and as they were battling up front he acted like he wasn’t interested. When we got to the five-eighth’s mark he caught the field and had a really nice kick off of cover around the final turn and paced home great” winning driver Mark MacDonald said following the win.
In the final division on the afternoon Heston Blue Chip was making his first start back since his fourth place finish in the Meadowlands Pace. It was back to business as usual as Heston Blue Chip and Tim Tetrick took control by the three-eighths pole and cruised to an open-length victory in 1:49.2. The mile equaled his track record that he set only six weeks ago in the Historic Series. The 3-year old son ofAmerican Ideal--Shot Togo Bluechip will be heading to the Empire Breeders’ Classic Eliminations at Tioga Downs on Sunday, Aug. 5.
Capturing the other division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt pacers was Racing Rocky (Tim Tetrick), in 1:51.2 for trainer George Teague, Jr.