The two frontrunners in the three-year-old colts and geldings division of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) will face off at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, July 31, in a highly anticipated matchup during the first of two $57,000 divisions featured on an impressive mid-week card.
Howlenthehills (American Ideal-Arielle Lynn) has been dominating this season, claiming victory in seven of his eight races, with just one second-place finish. His only loss was a narrow half-length defeat to his stablemate, Sweet Beach Life, in last month’s Messenger Stakes at Yonkers Raceway. Since April, he has been nothing short of exceptional across all racing surfaces, remaining undefeated in NYSS competition and setting a personal record of 1:50.1 at Vernon Downs in June.
Boston Rocks (Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco Sarah) has competed in four NYSS races this year, securing two wins and two seconds, both of which were against Howlenthehills. He posted his lifetime best in an overnight at Pocono Downs, pacing 1:51.4 and finishing 7-1/2 lengths in front. His latest performance was a striking victory at Monticello Raceway, where he won his NYSS split by nine lengths in 1:52.3.
These two pacers share a lot of similarities, Howlenthehills leads in points (150) and earnings ($139,178) in their NYSS category, while Boston Rocks ties him with points (150) but is a close second in earnings ($129,659).
However, they also have some notable differences. Howlenthehills struggled last year, finishing winless in seven starts in the NYSS and earning only $36,381. In contrast, Boston Rocks enjoyed a successful rookie season with four wins, including three NYSS legs and the $225,000 final, which contributed to his impressive total earnings of $352,922.
Howlenthehills will start from post one, trained by Travis Alexander and driven by Matt Kakaley, while Boston Rocks will have post two, with his regular driver Jason Bartlett taking the reins for trainer Mike Deters.
In the second division, Alexander will also train Huntingforchrome (Huntsville-All On Top Hanover), who has a chance to set a new track record as he comes into this race with speed and potential.
Huntingforchrome began his season with two NYSS starts, achieving one second-place finish under trainer Jenn Bongiorno. After moving to Alexander’s barn, he has showcased impressive speed on the Grand Circuit. His first race with Alexander was in the Meadowlands Pace elimination, where he paced in 1:49.3 but was rigged incorrectly, according to Alexander. After adjustments, he went on to win a Three-Year-Old Open Pace at The Meadowlands in a superb 1:48.1 and placed second in the Adios elimination at The Meadows. Just four days later, he returns to the NYSS at Batavia, his first appearance in this series since mid-June.
Kakaley will also be behind Huntingforchrome again, starting from post-five.
The New York Sire Stakes divisions will be featured as races seven and nine, while three $20,000 Excelsior races are scheduled for races three, five, and eleven. The first race has a post time of 6 p.m.