Batavia Downs: Tito, Clive Bigsby successful in New York Sire Stakes

Post one starters Tito and Clive Bigsby were victorious in the two $53,500 New York Sire Stakes races for rookie trotting colts on Sunday afternoon at Batavia Downs.

Driven by Andy Miller, Tito was in front through fractions of 30 4/5, 1:01 3/5, and 1:30 2/5. 4-5 favorite My Lindy Winner (Jim Morrill Jr.) tried it first-over out of third before three-quarters, but he only got within a length of Tito, who pulled away in the lane to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:58 2/5. My Lindy Winner wound up second and The Veteran (Chris Lems) finished third.

Trained by Erv Miller, Tito is a Muscle Mass colt owned by Anthony Lombardi, George Golemes, and Lou Willinger. Tito, who was bred by Angie Stiller and sold for $75,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, broke his maiden in his seventh try and has now earned $40,467. Tito is out of the Angus Hall mare Stonebridge Encore, a full sister to Peaceful Way ($2,746,240). Sent off at 5-2, Tito returned $7.20 to win.

In the other split Clive Bigsby (Lems), Don (Miller), and L Dees Courageous (Dan Daley) scrambled for the early lead, but Don broke stride and L Dees Courageous dropped into the pocket, leaving Clive Bigsby on top at the 30 second opening quarter. From there, Clive Bigsby reached the half in 1:01 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:30 2/5 before coming home in 28 4/5 to win by about three lengths in 1:59 1/5. Ronnie Goldstein (Kim Crawford) rallied up for second, just ahead of L Dees Courageous.

George Ducharme trains and co-owns Clive Bigsby, a gelded son of Muscle Mass, with partner Winters Racing Stable. Clive Bigsby, a $40,000 Standardbred Horse Sale acquisition, has won five times from seven chances, and he has pocketed $93,562. Bred by Karen Carroll, Clive Bigsby is out of the Andover Hall mare Northern Flare, a half-sister to the likes of Northern Spark (Angus Hall, $423,030). Clive Bigsby paid $3.10 to win as the 1-2 choice.