Five first-year harness racing at Batavia, NY

Batavia, NY — The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) returns to Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 21) with a field of five first-year harness racing male trotters set to battle in a single dash worth $102,500.

Leading the field is BJM’s Little Man (Devious Man-Vixen), who has won four of six-lifetime starts, along with one third-place finish, earning $95,450 to date. His fastest time is 1:56.4, clocked at Tioga Downs. Despite his impressive record, only one of those wins came in an NYSS event, with the other three victories achieved in Excelsior action. Notably, his most recent third-place finish was behind two of the rivals he’ll face again in this race. Trained by John Berger, BJM’s Little Man will start from post three with regular driver Tyler Buter back in the bike.

Karinchak (Chapter Seven-Sianna Hanover) is another contender who has started in seven NYSS events this year, securing just one win—his most recent outing at Monticello Raceway, where he defeated BJM’s Little Man. Karinchak set his lifetime mark of 1:59.2 in that race and enters this event in top form, aiming for back-to-back victories. Mark Macdonald will drive from post two for trainer Ray Schnittker.

Variegated (Chapter Seven-White Cheetah) finished second in that Monticello race, trailing Karinchak and finishing ahead of BJM’s Little Man. Despite not winning a race this year, he has been consistent, hitting the board in all five of his lifetime starts and securing checks in each. Variegated will be driven by Braxton Boyd from post four for trainer Marcus Melander.

The NYSS event is scheduled as race six, while two $20,000 Excelsior trots will follow as races seven and eight. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.