Tioga: Groovy Joe, American Rebel victorious in NY Sire Stakes

Tioga Downs welcomed the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers of the New York Sire Stakes program for a pair of $52,000 divisions on Monday afternoon, and Groovy Joe and American Rebel wound up taking them.

In the first split Cigars And Port (Ray Schnittker) had the lead through fractions of 26 3/5, 55 2/5, and 1:22 4/5, with Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) moving first-over from third just before the half and gaining at the pace-setter. Groovy Joe forged his way by Cigars And Port coming off the last turn and found the finish line first, winning by a length in a career-best 1:52. Cigars And Port held second, with Save Me A Dance (Scott Zeron) back in third.

Trainer Blake MacIntosh and Hutt Racing Stable co-own the victorious Roll With Joe-Chotat Milk colt, a $17,000 Goshen Yearling Sale buy bred by Winbak Farm. Groovy Joe has seven wins and two seconds from nine chances, and he has now pocketed $174,595. He paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

The other section, which was conducted after rain left the track rated "good," saw American Rebel (Tyler Buter) and Splash Brother (Schnittker) battle past the start, with American Rebel taking over control passing the 27 1/5 opening quarter. American Rebel would go on to reach the half in 56 4/5, then turned away a first-over advance from Hurrikanekingjames (Jordan Stratton) in the backstretch and to the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters. American Rebel got some separation on the field on the last turn and remained clear to the wire, winning by two lengths in 1:53 2/5. Genius Man (Marcus Miller) rallied from last to second in the final quarter, with Splash Brother third.

American Rebel, an American Ideal-Restive Hanover (The Panderosa) colt, is trained by Patti Harmon for owners Harmon Racing Stable LLC. and Robert Robinson. American Rebel, another Winbak Farm-bred who sold for $6,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, is now a five-time winner from nine trips behind the gate, and he pushed his bankroll to $140,047. He was the 7-5 second choice and returned $4.80 to win.