HAMBURG, N.Y. --- There's been five track records either
tied or broken this season at Buffalo Raceway but the 2-year-old colt and
gelding pacers came up empty in trying to challenge any of the marks in the
three $37,266 divisions of the New York Sires Stakes on a steamy Wednesday
night (July 2).
While not breaking the 2-year-old standard of 1:55.4 set by
He's Watching in 2013, there were still plenty of impressive times for the
winners, all of whom made their first pari-mutual start of their careers.
The fastest mile of the Sire Stakes went to Mikado Blue Chip
who posted an impressive 1:57.2 time over the track in the second division.
It was a gate-to-wire win for Mikado Blue Chip ($7.50) who
beat Perfect Bid (Jeff Dauplaise) by a throttled down five lengths after
posting fractions of 29.3, 59.0 and 1:28.4. Old Man Cleary (Brent Holland)
finished in third.
"He has a lot of get up and go," driver Doug
McNair said of Mikado Blue Chip. "He really seems to like a half-mile
track."
Mikado Blue Chip (American Ideal-Ichiban Blue Chip) is owned
by Mark Ford and trained by Gregg McNair.
In the opening $37,266 division, Cartoon Daddy avoided
potentially huge trouble just past the half as he was drafting the first-over K
Ryan Bluechip who broke stride. Driver Jim Morrill Jr. reacted quickly and
swung Cartoon Daddy extremely wide to avoid the trouble and eventually scooted
past the pace-setting Derby Dale by the time they hit at the three-quarter
marker.
From there, Cartoon Daddy ($3.50) cruised to the finish line
with with no serious threats. He crossed the line in 1:58.1 and beat App Heaven
(Jordan Stratton) by 1-1/2 lengths while KJ Brent (Holland) took third.
"He's very handy," said Morrill Jr. of Cartoon
Daddy. "He was like driving a little car."
Owned by the Burke Racing Stable and Joseph DiScala, Cartoon
Daddy was sired by Art Major out of Ask Alice. Ron Burke handled the training
duties.
The third and final division saw Aimo Hanover spring the
upset with a 1:58.0 time and paid $18.40 to his followers.
Aimo Hanover went first over just before the half and took
command from Starznheaven just before the three-quarter pole and never looked
back. Play The Field (Morrill Jr.) had late pace to pick up second place but
was two lengths behind while Mystical Pacer (Holland) rounded out the top
three.
"He did everything perfect tonight," winning
driver Jeff Gregory stated. "He's a handy little horse and was
perfect."
Aimo Hanover (Artiscape-Allamerican Celeb) is owned by the
Doug Ackerman Stables Inc. and and conditioned by D.R. Ackerman.
The $12,800 Excelsior Series A class for the 2-year-old
colts and geldings saw Artistic Major (Holland)) take the first division in
1:58.2 and returned $11.20 for the victory. American Anthem (McNair) rallied in
the stretch and scored the $19.00 win in 1:59.3 in the second leg.
In the non-betting $6,600 Excelsior Series B class for the
2-year-old colts and gelding pacers, Mr. Wiskers and Morrill Jr. covered the
mile in 2:01.2 to register the decision.
You're Too Funny took the weekly $10,500 Fillies and Mares
Open Pace for driver Mark MacDonald in 1:55.1. Owned by Greg Capell and trained
by Lisa Zgodzinski, You're Too Funny ($13.00) held off the hard-charging Dontch
Remember (Morrill) and Mondatta (Jim McNeight).
Racing resumes on Friday night with the 13-race program card
getting started at 6:40 p.m.
For more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
