Tioga: Bartlett bags both of Sunday's New York Sire Stakes tests

Jason Bartlett steered Fly By and Sir Pinocchio to victories in the two $57,000 New York Sire Stakes splits for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings that went behind the gate on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.

Mister Mellby (Tyler Buter) cut the 27 4/5 opening quarter in the first division, but Bartlett moved Fly By to the point past that marker, and he was in control before the 56 second half went on the board. From there, Fly By cruised through three-quarters in 1:24 4/5 and then drew off in a 28 4/5 final panel, defeating Mister Mellby by 6 3/4 lengths in a 1:53 3/5 effort. Nottingham (Braxten Boyd) finished third.

Tony Alagna trains Fly By, a Chapter Seven colt bred by Al Libfeld, Marvin Katz and Sam Goldband, for Libfeld, Katz and partner Pryde Stables Inc. Fly By is a four-time winner from 20 starts, has put away $224,312 and paid $3.50 to win as the favorite.

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Wild Ticket (Jim Marohn Jr.) cut fractions of 27, 55 4/5 and 1:24 in the second flight as Bartlett watched from the pocket with Sir Pinocchio. Bartlett wheeled off the pylons in the lane, and although Wild Ticket was game, he couldn't hold off Sir Pinocchio to the wire, falling three-quarters of a length short in a 1:52 1/5 mile. Keep Asking (Buter) collected third.

Sir Pinocchio, a gelding by Met's Hall, is trained by Ed Hart for owner/breeder Carolyn Atherton. Sir Pinocchio has eight wins, five seconds and two thirds from 18 appearances, has pocketed $424,103 and also returned $3.50 to win.