Monticello: Mr Vicktor, Travel Winner provide Buter with NY Sire Stakes double

Driver Tyler Buter steered Mr Vicktor and Travel Winner to victories in two of the three New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters that took place on Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway. Winnerup, driven by trainer Trond Smedshammer, took the remaining split.

Mr Vicktor, who was second to Gimpanzee in the Empire Breeders Classic final on Memorial Day at Vernon Downs turned in the quickest section, winning the second $38,200 test in 1:57 1/5. Starting from post one, he had a gap on his rivals through stations of 28 3/5, 59, and 1:28 2/5, then used a 28 4/5 final quarter to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over Chip Chip Conway (Jim Taggart Jr.). Captain Krupnik (Ake Svanstedt) got third.

A 3-year-old RC Royalty colt, Mr Vicktor is trained by Jennifer Lappe, who also co-owns with Robert Santagata, Diamond Pride LLC., and Joseph Lee. This was Mr Vicktor's fifth career win, and he has now earned $122,936. He was the 1-9 favorite and paid $2.30 to win.

In the $38,200 finale, Travel Winner and Buter watched from third as Lights On Come (Jason Bartlett) took the lead away from Cavill Hanover (Svanstedt) going to the 29 second opening quarter and remained in the three-hole as Lights Come On reached the half in 59 4/5. At that point Travel Winner went to work first-over, getting to within a length at the 1:29 three-quarters, staying about that far behind around the far turn, and then overtaking the leader in the lane on his way to a one-length decision in 1:58 2/5. Cavill Hanover wound up third.

Nifty Norman trains Travel Winner, a colt by Credit Winner, for owner James Fleming. Travel Winner made his fourth appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now put away $75,179. The even-money favorite, he returned $4.30 to win.

Back in the $37,500 opening tilt, Winnerup and Smedshammer were fifth and last at the 29 2/5 opening quarter and remained the trailer at the 59 4/5 half, although Winnerup had begun a first-over move at that point. Winnerup gained steadily around the third turn to threaten leader Horns For Three at the 1:29 2/5 three-quarters, then overwhelmed that foe coming off the final bend, kicking away to win by a length and a half in 1:57 4/5. Our White Knight (Scott Zeron) came on for second, with Livinonthedash (Marcus Miller) third.

Winnerup, another Credit Winner colt, is owned by Purple Haze Stables LLC. Winnerup now sports a record of 4-1-2 from ten trips behind the gate, and he has banked $74,235. Sent off as the public choice at 6-5, Winnerup paid $4.70 to win.