Batavia Downs: No issues for public choices in New York Sire Stakes

Batavia Downs hosted three New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts on Sunday afternoon, and it was a good day for favorites as In A Single Bound, Chip Walther, and Funknwaffles were victorious.

The first group went for $39,900, and 1-5 In A Single Bound (Billy Dobson) would win by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:52 3/5 after he led through panels of 27 2/5, 56, and 1:24 1/5. What's Goin On (Corey Callahan) was the runner-up, and he was followed by Outkast Blue Chip (Kevin Cummings).

Monica Krist trains In A Single Bound, a gelded son of Roll With Joe, for owners Dennis and Simone Noud. This was In A Single Bound's 11th career victory, and he has now earned $122,738. He paid $2.40 to win.

In the next $38,500 split Chip Walther (Marcus Miller), the 6-5 public choice, took over the lead from Octane Blue Chip (Callahan) on the way to the 28 second opening quarter. Chip Walther would then race unpressured to the 56 3/5 half, but 8-5 second choice Serious Major (Jim Morrill Jr.) wheeled first-over out of third in the third quarter and got to within a head of Chip Walther at the 1:25 three-quarters. That was as close as Serious Major would get, though, as Chip Walther got away from him on the final bend and went on to defeat Octane Blue Chip by a length and a quarter in a 1:53 1/5 mile. Twin B Cowboy (Drew Monti) was up for third.

Chip Walther is an Art Major colt co-owned by trainer Erv Miller along with Paymaq Racing, Nick Surick Stable LLC., and Lou Willinger. Chip Walther scored his seventh lifetime win, and he has now banked $172,142. He returned $4.50 to win.

Funknwaffles (Callahan) remained undefeated in New York Sire Stakes competition this year in the final $39,900 flight, rolling to a 1:53 2/5 score. He got away third at the 28 second first quarter, but overhauled Goose Mountain (Larry Stalbaum) for control prior to the 56 3/5 half. Funknwaffles stretched his lead out to two lengths at the 1:25 2/5 three-quarters and coasted home in 28 seconds to win by 6 3/4 over Geez Joe (Miller). Art Scene (Monti) took third.

There was a judges' inquiry into the race after pocket-sitting Goose Mountain and a first-over America's Fleet (Cummings) seemed to get tangled and impeded other horses before three-quarters, but no change was made.

An American Ideal gelding, Funknwaffles is trained by John Butenschoen for owner Crawford Farms Racing. This was his 12th win from 17 career attempts, and he has now put away $499,933. The 1-9 favorite, he paid $2.10 to win.