Tioga: Karinchak closes out NYSS regular season with a bang

Karinchak vaulted from second-over to a 1:55 1/5 win in a $117,600 New York Sire Stakes event for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Saturday evening at Tioga Downs. This was the last preliminary in the NYSS program prior to next Saturday's Night of Champions at Batavia Downs.

Global Twist (Mike Merton), Seven Layer (Ridge Warren) and Happy Jack B (Tyler Buter) were three-wide for the lead on the first turn before Seven Layer pushed on to take the top spot past the 27 2/5 quarter and then yielded to Happy Jack B, who got into a two-wide position and then followed Seven Layer forward.

Variegated (Mattias Melander), the favorite in the race, went first-up from fifth prior to the 56 second half and moved up into second on the rim but got rebuffed by Happy Jack B going to the 1:24 4/5 three-quarters. Karinchak (Mark MacDonald) had been tracking Variegated from second-over and fanned out three-wide on the final bend.

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In the lane Happy Jack B was game and dug in, but Karinchak had the momentum on the outside and was able to take the lead. Karinchak wasn't home free, though, as Seismic Step (Niko Karna) had trot off MacDonald's helmet. However, Karinchak was able to fend off Seismic Step, prevailing by a neck. Happy Jack B held third.

Trainer Ray Schnittker also co-owns Karinchak, a Chapter Seven colt bred by Steve Jones, with partners Ted Gewertz, Arden Homestead Stable and Steven Arnold. He has a summary of 5-4-3 from 25 starts, has put away $293,784 and paid $17.60 to win as a 7-1 shot.