Tioga: Crown, Tillio's Action prevail in NY Sire Stakes races

Two-year-old colt and gelding trotters tangled at Tioga Downs in two $53,500 New York Sire Stakes splits on Saturday night.

In the first division Kierkegaard K (Ake Svanstedt) hit the opening quarter in 28 seconds, but Crown (Brian Sears) moved out of the pocket and took over the top spot before the 57 1/5 half. From there, Crown would hit three-quarters in 1:26 2/5, and a 29 2/5 last quarter got him to the wire a length and three-quarters ahead of The Gruffalo (Tyler Buter) in a 1:55 4/5 mile. Kierkegaard K wound up third.

Crown is a Chapter Seven-Amour Heiress colt bred by Order By Stable and trained by Marcus Melander for owner S R F Stable. Crown, who sold for $250,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has won all three of his starts, and he has now earned $64,725. Due to New York State wagering laws, Crown raced for purse money only following the scratch of entry-mate Onion Gum.

Kilgore S (Sears) was on the engine at the 28 second opening quarter in the other flight, but he would be passed by favored Wild Bill Kelso (Wally Hennessey) after that station. Wild Bill Kelso maintained command at the 57 second half and the 1:26 2/5 three-quarters, but Tillio's Action (Mike Merton) rolled first-over out of fifth beyond the half and moved into second entering the last turn.

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Tillio's Action sustained his bid around the bend, went by Wild Bill Kelso before they turned for home, and it was all Tillio's Action from there as he kicked away to a 3 1/2 length decision in 1:56 3/5. Cecil Hanover (Svanstedt) got up for second and Sevecheetah (Trond Smedshammer) rallied for third.

An E L Titan-Nothing But Nice colt, Tillio's Action is trained by owner John Grasso. Tillio's Action won in his first career start after finishing second in one baby race at the Meadowlands on July 30 and paid $29.20 to win as a 13-1 offering. Tillio's Action was bred by Risto Vidgren and fetched $35,000 at the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale.