Batavia: Favorites rule in NYSS races on Sunday

The chalk went four-for-four in the New York Sire Stakes events for 2- and 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers that took place on Sunday afternoon at Batavia Downs.

The star of the show was undefeated rookie American Courage (Matt Kakaley), who improved his record to six-for-six with a 1:54 2/5 tally in the first $50,400 grouping. American Courage had a slow start, lagging back from the gate a bit, but he was all business after that. He made one early move to secure third past the 28 1/5 opening quarter, then was sent two-wide again before Carrythetorchman (Marcus Miller) reached the half in 57 2/5.

American Courage would take away the lead from Carrythetorchman on the third turn, and from there American Courage kicked away with every stride, winning by 10 1/2 lengths and just missing the track record by two-fifths of a second. Sauvignon Bluechip (Tyler Buter) was the runner-up, with Bottle Rocket (Jason Bartlett) third.

A colt by American Ideal, American Courage is trained by Travis Alexander for owner/breeder Fiddler's Creek Stables LLC. American Courage, who has now pocketed $145,108, is the first foal out of the Art Major mare Nota Fool Bluechip (1:55 2/5, $17,750), a full sister to two millionaires in Feel Like A Fool (1:49 3/5, $1,269,988) and Fool Me Once (1:48 1/5, $1,120,510). The 1-9 favorite, American Courage paid $2.10 to win.

Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) is now three-for-three in the New York Sire Stakes program in 2020 after he won the first of two divisions for sophomores in 1:53 3/5. Major Betts led the way through panels of 27, 56 4/5, and 1:25 4/5 in the $54,000 tilt, and a 27 4/5 final kicker got him home a head in front of pocket-sitter Ideal Perception (Bartlett). Blank Stare (Corey Callahan) was the third-place finisher.

Trainer Mark Harder also co-owns Major Betts, an Art Major colt, with partners Joseph Jannuzzelli and Deena Frost. Major Betts has a record of 7-1-2 from 16 career tries, and he has now put away $224,706. Major Betts was also dispatched at 1-9 and returned $2.10 to win.

In the other $55,000 flight for 3-year-olds, Groovy Joe (Kakaley) worked his way around Save Me A Dance (Bartlett) after the 27 second opening quarter. Groovy Joe continued on the front-end to the 55 4/5 half and the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters, and he kept Save Me A Dance at bay to the finish line, prevailing by half a length in 1:52. Splash Brother (Buter) came in third.

The victorious Roll With Joe colt is co-owned by trainer Blake MacIntosh in partnership with Hutt Racing Stable, Ozzie Mackay, and Hoofbid Racing. Groovy Joe made his ninth appearance in the winner's circle, has now stashed away $303,559, and he paid $4.30 to win as the even-money choice.

Rounding out the sire stakes winners for Sunday was Town Gossip (Jim Morrill Jr.), who captured the second $50,400 test for the freshmen in 1:57 1/5. He went to the point from post one, was well-rated through fractions of 28 4/5, 59, and 1:28 1/5, and kicked away on the last turn and through the lane, scoring by 5 1/4 lengths. Sexy Blue Chip (Buter) was next, followed by Major Makover (Mark MacDonald).

Jenn Bongiorno trains Town Gossip, a gelded son of American Ideal, for owner Robert Weinstein. Town Gossip, who was bred by Winbak Farm and went for $25,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has a pair of wins from five trips behind the gate, and he has banked $81,945. Town Gossip is out of the Albert Albert mare Flibbertigibbet (1:49, $188,383), making him a half-brother to the likes of Swift As A Shadow (Bettor's Delight, 1:50 1/5, $606,264). Town Gossip returned $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.