Other New York Sire Stakes winners that afternoon
included Tirade Hanover in 2:01 and Wannacmyguns in 2:01.1.
Although six Excelsior Series freshman colt trots made a
good supporting undercard, the day, however, belonged to the Jim
Campbell-trained Fashion Blizzard.
When the gate sprung Morrill was determined to send Fashion
Blizzard to the lead and he unhurriedly gained command before the quarter mile
as the timer flashed :29.2. And for all intents and purposes the race was
over at the point.
The son of Credit Winner-Fun And Strokes cruised on the lead
by the half tin :58.4 three lengths ahead of Theraputic and driver Jeff Gregory
with the rest of the field single file. At the third stanza in 1:28 the lead
opened to four lengths and approaching the wire Morrill had a good hold on
Fashion Blizzard who still had four lengths over Theraputic. Ex King was
third for Dan Daley.
In the winner’s circle Morrill was joined by the colt’s
caretaker and Morrill turned to him and uttered; “He went so easy I didn’t even
have to pull the (ear)plugs.”
After they traded some inaudible comments Morrill could
finally be heard uncharacteristically saying to the caretaker :“He’s got plenty
of go!”
Sent off at odds of 1-4 Fashion Blizzard paid just $2.50 for
win. He is owned by Fashion Farms L.L.C.
Another good looking colt, Tirade Hanover driven by Brian
Sears, won his contest but he didn’t seem like himself. After convincing
wins in his last two outings the son of Crazed-Teagarden Hanover
struggled to hold on to a 2:01 triumph in his $48,789 NYSS division.
Maybe trotting for the lead at the quarter in :29 from post
position eight took a toll but once on the frontend the colt appeared
comfortable.
He showed the way by a solid length throughout at each
stanza but in the lane Sears had to get after him and the colt showed real grit
by holding on for a neck victory over Blackwolf Run and Sam Schillaci, who
enjoyed a two hole trip. Ruckus and driver Jimmy Morrill, Jr., also with a
covered trip, finished third.
Despite having to start from the eight hole Tirade Hanover’s
card was so impressive that he was sent of at odds just over 1-2 and paid $3.10
for win.
The colt, who now has six wins in nine starts,
is trained by Tyler Raymer for owners Leigh Nichol, Stephen
Moss and Harold and Helene Solomon.
In the other $48,789 NYSS split 1-9 shot Explosive Action
(Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) went off stride at the start it was bombs away.
Wannacmyguns, a Conway Hall -Distaff colt, owned by Edmund
Smith, James Giannuzzo, David Smith and the Crawford Farms, paid
$34.80, $10.60, and $14.00 across the board. Second place finisher Stirling
Bullet returned $56.50 for place and $61.00 for show. Crazy About Pat, the
third place finisher, paid $26.00 for show. The exacta payoff was
$1,065.00; the trifecta returned $8524.00 and the superfecta was worth a whopping
$19,676.
The winners of the six Excelsior Series trots were,
Imwideawake (Jimmy Devaux-2:01); Rapid Ascent (Dan Daley-2:03.1);Golden Tate
(Jay Randall-2:01.4);Eve Ning Out(Phil Fluet-2:04.1); Dreadnaut Hanover(Brian
Sears-2:03.1) and Ashes Kash, the NYSS County Fair Champion driven by Harold
Smith in 2:01.4 for his 10th victory in 11 starts.
