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Nichols, NY --- Tioga Downs hosted three divisions of the NewYork Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshman pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (July 29).

 

In the third division of the NYSS ($35,866), Melodies Major (Tyler Buter) won for the fourth time in four lifetime starts. Melodies Major ($2.50) jumped out of the gate, took the lead and never looked back (:27.2, :57.0, 1:24.3, 1:53.1).  

 

Owned by Martin Scharf and trained by Mark Ford, he easily held off a charge from Jack Nation (Jim Morrill Jr.) to win in a lifetime best mark.

 

Jack Nation was second best to Melodies Major for the third time in four starts. Rockin Jimmy Brown (Marcus Miller) was third.

 

Melodies Major is by Art Major-Hilarious. All four of his wins have been in legs of the NYSS.

 

In the first division of the NYSS (36,566), Major Blake (Tim Tetrick) was much the best.

 

Major Blake ($6.50) put in the fastest mile of the day. Owned by Matthew Bencic, Howard Berke and trainer Sam Schillaci, he made every split a winning one (:28.1, :57.3, 1:25.0, 1:51.4). Hickfromfrenchlick (Ray Schnittker) followed all the way to finish second. Reigning Deo (David Miller) was third best.

 

Major Blake is by Art Major-Bet Your Life. He put in the fastest mile of his life. He now has two wins and one second in his career. His second place finish came to Melodies Major.

 

Artie’s Ideal (Marcus Miller) was upset winner in the second division of the NYSS ($36,566). 

 

In the most exciting race of the three, Buddy Hill (Scott Zeron) laid down all the early fractions (:28.2, :58.2, 1:26.3). Arties Ideal ($12.00) was third at the half, went first-over just before the three-quarter mark and ran down Buddy Hill in a great stretch drive to win in 1:54.1 

 

Buddy Hill had to settle for second money while Jet Rock (Mike Simons) finished third. 

 

Arties Ideal is by American Ideal-Midnight Art. Owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable and trained by Erv Miller, he was a winner in his first lifetime start.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday (Aug. 3) at 6:15 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com.