Tioga: Bartlett bags New York Sire Stakes double

Driver Jason Bartlett picked up wins in two of the three New York Sire Stakes events for 3-year-old male pacers that were conducted over a sloppy Tioga Downs oval on Sunday afternoon.

Bartlett struck for the first time in the second $38,200 split, guiding Buddy Hill to a 1:52 score. Buddy Hill was away second to the 26 3/5 opening quarter, but Bartlett vacated the pocket with his charge past that point to take over the top spot, and he would go on to reach the half in 54 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:22 3/5. The pace slowed in the final quarter, but a 29 2/5 final kicker was enough for Buddy Hill to secure the victory by a length and a quarter over a rallying Artie's Ideal (Marcus Miller). Early leader Live Lucky (Wally Hennessey) checked in third.

Buddy Hill is a Roll With Joe colt who is trained by Marcus Melander for owner/breeder Tom Hill. This was Buddy Hill's second career win, and he has now earned $112,431. He was sent off at 3-1 and paid $8.70 to win.

In the final $38,900 grouping Bartlett was at the controls behind Major March, and he left hard to take the field to the first quarter in 27 seconds flat. 2-5 favorite American Mercury (Tyler Buter) then moved up on the rim and took the lead heading to the 54 3/5 half, leaving Major March in the pocket. They continued that way to the 1:23 three-quarters and around the final bend, but Bartlett tipped Major March back out in the lane, and he kicked by the public choice on his way to the victory by a length and three-quarters over Rollwithpapajoe (Hennessey). American Mercury faded to third.

Linda Toscano trains Major March, a colt by Art Major, for owner Bay Pond Racing Stable. Major March made his fourth appearance in the winner's circle, and he boosted his bankroll to $106,409. Dispatched at 6-1, he returned $15.40 to win.

Back in the first $38,900 division, Hickfromfrenchlick (Mark MacDonald) pushed on to the lead past the 27 2/5 opening quarter, but he would give way to sit in the pocket behind Magic Joe Lindy (Hennessey) as they headed towards the half, which was clocked in 55 seconds flat. MacDonald then made another move with Hickfromfrenchlick in the third quarter, getting the lead on the outside from Magic Joe Lindy at the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters before clearing for good beyond that point. Once he was back on top, there was no catching Hickfromfrenchlick, as he reported home the winner by a length and three-quarters in 1:51 3/5. Respect Our Flag (Buter) was the runner-up, followed by Major Blake (Bartlett).

The victorious So Surreal colt is trained by Ray Schnittker, who also co-owns him with Nolamaura Racing LLC. and Thomas Spatorico. Hickfromfrenchlick, named after NBA legend Larry Bird, now sports a record of 7-2-0 from 11 efforts, and he has put away $199,391. The 4-5 favorite, he paid $3.60 to win.