Monticello Raceway became Trot-Town USA, at least for a day
on Thursday afternoon, July 11, with 11 of the 14 races on the card for
trotters and eight of them for 2-year-olds. Three of the freshmen trots were in
the $132,000 NYSS events and the other five went for a total of $63,500 in the
Excelsior Series.
Although good number of the freshmen trotters were
remarkable on the racetrack there certainly was huge discrepancy between the
NYSS and the Excelsior Series entrants. And the trainers of each knew the
difference and entered their colts accordingly. And far and away the NYSS
eligibles stuck out.
In only his second lifetime start Flyhawk El Durado was
successful in a 2:00.3 clocking and The Lindy Treaty, who also raced for the
second time in his career, and remained unbeaten in a 2:00.4
clocking. But arguably the most impressive was first-time starter Crazzy
Crazzy when he circled the double oval in 1:59.4.
Trained by Casie Coleman and driven by Jimmy Morrill, Jr.
CRazzy Crazzyu , a son of Crazed-Striking Vintage, went immediately for the
lead and not only never relinquished it but was well in hand when he won by two
lengths over Mister Anson and driver Jimmy Doherty.
For the colt to trot the first quarter in :28.3 in his first
start was eye-popping in itself. And at the third stanza when betting favorite
My Friend Charlie - a 2:01.1 winner in his first start at Buffalo Raceway on
June 30 made a charge at the leader as the field neared the three
quarters Crazzy Crazzy put him away easily and then cruised to victory in
1:59.4.
In the winner’s circle Morrill was asked about the colt’s
ability. And usually one who doesn’t to say much he couldn’t help but blurt out
“He’s a killer.”
Owned by the West Winds Stable, Adriana Sorello, and
Andrew Harris Crazzy Crazzy paid $8.40 for win.
Perhaps nearly equally impressive was the 2:00.4 victory
turned in by The Lindy Treaty, a son of Conway Hall-Piece A Pie
driven to victory in his $44,000 division by Ray Schnittker.
Sent off the even money favorite after his 2:01.4 NYSS
victory at Buffalo Raceway 12 days ago, Schnittker and his colt started from
the seven hole as Jimmy Morrill, Jr. and General
Bill Brown took command. Schnittker found a seat in the two-hole as
Morrill led the fields through fractions of :29.2, 1:01 and 1:31.2.
Up the backside the second time around Morrill’s colt
rebuffed strong pressure from Izzy Jokin and driver Chris Lems and at that
point it appeared that The Lindy Treaty was stalled. Schnittker sat
chilly around the turn and when daylight became available at the top of the
lane he moved his trotter out to challenge and The Lindy Treaty hit another
gear and made up at least two lengths in the deep stretch to collar General
Bill Brown in a 2:00.4 clocking .
Asked in the winner’s circle if the race went the way
he thought it would and Schnittker sharply: “Yes, we won it.” But after he was
reached in the paddock he added; “I was pleased to be able to race him from
behind. He’s a well-bred big strong colt and has a good future
ahead of him.”
Co-owned by Schnittker and the Lindy Treaty Stable the
Conway Hall colt paid $4.00 for win.
A third $44,000 NYSS division turned out to be a
joyful occasion for co-owners Andrea Pratt and Jimmy Whittemore.
With Whittemore at the controls he sent the home-bred
Flyhawk El Durado to the lead from the seven-hole but they didn’t gain
command until after the quarter was trotted in :29.4. From there they
raced unchallenged on the lead and when they turned for home Flyhawk El
Durado had two lengths on Crazolo and Trond Smedshammer and at the wire
the margin was shaved by a half-length in the 2:00:3 clocking.
“ I thought I was going to get parked ,” a smiling Jimmy
Whittemore told his co-owner Andrea Pratt as she gleefully held the
trotter in the winner’s circle. He then added .“He (Flyhawk El Durado) really
went a great mile and was still on the bit finishing.”
Whittemore also trains the son of Conway Hall-El Paso
Gal who returned a $12.60 win mutuel.
The undercard had five $12,700 Excelsior Series freshmen
trots all clocked between 2:04- 2:05.4 and it was bombs away in three of
the events with longshots EJ ‘s Disco Hall ($96.00), Dappa Rappa ($47.20) and
Cash Me Out ($28.00) lighting up the tote board. Other winners,
Bosak and Commissioner Daley, were betting favorites.
Despite the 11 trots on the card and eight of
them for 2 year-olds, still the bettors, both on and off track,
wagered $801,667.
