Buffalo Raceway: Bartlett, Lorentzon sweep New York Sire Stakes events

Driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Anette Lorentzon teamed up to win both New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt trotters on Sunday afternoon at Buffalo Raceway. Co-owner/breeder Acl Stuteri AB and co-owner Kjell Johansson also scored a double.

Eye Ofa Tiger As was their first winner, taking the opening $60,200 split in 1:57 2/5. He took over the lead from Aces And Eights (Claude Huckabone III) past the 29 3/5 opening quarter, then hit the half in 59 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:29 1/5. Swell Chap (Drew Monti) made a first-over bid past the half that got him to within half a length of the leader at three-quarters, but Eye Ofa Tiger As would not let him by, and he would go on to win by a length and a half. Swell Chap wound up second and Money Macintosh (Andy Miller) finished third.

"Eye Ofa Tiger is real sharp right now," said Bartlett. "He's a nice little horse. He likes being on the front-end but can come from behind as well."

The victorious Chapter Seven gelding picked up his sixth career victory, and he has now earned $94,690. He was the 3-5 favorite and paid $3.50 to win.

In the other section Neon Lights (Chris Lems) led at the 29 1/5 first quarter, but Arch Credit (Jim Morrill Jr.) took command beyond that mark, and he would click off middle-half stations of 58 1/5 and 1:28. Arch Credit was up by a couple lengths on Bartlett and a first-over Guardian Angel As on the final bend, but then Arch Credit broke stride just before they turned for home, dropping the lead into the lap of Guardian Angel As. He was unchallenged from that point, winning by eight lengths in 1:58 1/5. Neon Lights came back on to get second and Another Chapter (Per Henriksen) collected third.

Bartlett stated that he had planned to leave off the gate with Guardian Angel As, "just to see what would happen.

"I had to go easy with him into that first turn to keep him flat," Bartlett added. "I thought we'd win despite the break by Arch Credit."

Guardian Angel As is an Archangel colt who now has a record of 6-3-0 from 12 lifetime tries, and he has now banked $90,857. He was dispatched as the 3-5 favorite as well, and he returned $3.40 to win.

--quotes courtesy of Buffalo Raceway--