Tioga: Hobbs, Chaptiama repeat in NY Sire Stakes

A couple New York Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters were featured on the Saturday matinee program at Tioga Downs, and Hobbs and Chaptiama took top honors, just like they did in the last leg of the NYSS at Yonkers on July 14.

Hobbs, driven by Jason Bartlett, went to the lead from post five in the opening $56,000 flight and chopped out a 27 3/5 opening quarter before yielding to a parked Take The Credit (Jim Morrill Jr.). Bartlett didn't want the pocket, though, and immediately re-moved to the point, landing back on the engine before the 56 3/5 half.

Barn Holden (Jeff Gregory) came first-over out of third past the half and challenged Hobbs to the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters and around the last turn, but Hobbs was unwavering, staying in front to win by a quarter of a length in 1:54 1/5. Ballscapsnbluejeans (Jim Meittinis) sat off the pace in last and next-to-last but rallied for second, and Barn Holden wound up third.

A gelding by Credit Winner, Hobbs is trained by Jim Campbell for owner/breeder Runthetable Stables. This was Hobbs's fourth career win, and he has now earned $228,318. He paid $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favorite.

In the other $55,000 sire stakes test, Berkery J (Wally Hennessey) was in the lead through stations of 27 2/5, 56 2/5, and 1:25 1/5, but a first-up Chaptiama (Trond Smedshammer) was advancing at three-quarters. On the far turn Chaptiama forged his way past Berkery J, and from there it was all Chaptiama as he pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:53 3/5. Bourbon Express (Tyler Buter) was up for second and Berkery J faded to third.

Smedshammer also trains Chaptiama, a gelded son of Chapter Seven, for owner/breeder Purple Haze Stables LLC. Chaptiama owns a record of 4-5-1 from 12 trips behind the gate, and he has now banked $270,005. He returned $5.40 to win.