By Shawn
Wiles
Photos by
Geri Schwarz
It was clear
that the track record for 3YOTC’s was in jeopardy, on paper any 3 of the Sire
Stakes heats had the power and ability of breaking the record. By the end
of the day, all 3 divisions, either broke, tied or reset the record.
The action
got started right away in the 1st race, 1st division of
the regular Sire Stakes, Money Macintosh left from the rail in the short field
of 5, and had the lead at the first stanza in 28.2, not content to sit the
pocket Jordan Stratton pulled Lord Cromwell and re-took lead before the half ½
in 57.3. Going down the backside Money Macintosh and Texican were both
first over and in high gear, breathing down the Lords back and tripping the
timer at 1:27.3. Money Macintosh had 2 lengths on the field as they turned for
home, and won by the same margin in a track record of 1:56.1. The mark of
1:56.1 erased the mark set by Habitat of 1:56.3. The Credit Winner – Apple
Plush filly was trained and driven by Team Miller for owners Story Inc. of
Township NJ. It was the first win of the year for
Money Macintosh, Dexter
Cup Winner Lord Cromwell tired in deep stretch and finished 3rd.
The sharp
looking son of Chapter 7, Neon Lights and Brian Sears let Cresurrey show the
way briefly, but by the ¼ mile pole Neon Lights was on the move first over and
had the lead and showed the field thru panels of 28.2, 57.1 1:26.3 to win by 2
lengths over Arch Credit (Jordan Stratton) and Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller)
in 1:56.1, tying the track record set 6 races prior for 3 YOTC’s. The 1/5
betting favorite Guardian Angel AS made a break at the start and lost all
chances, but rallied to make up a ton of ground and held on gamely to finish 4th.
The win was Neon Lights first NYSS trip to the winner’s circle in 2017, for
trainer George Ducharme, and paid $26.40 to win.
The race of the day came in race 8, final heat of the regular
Sire Stakes, Eye OFA Tiger AS was seeking his 4-straight win, the son of
Chapter 7, went down the road and lead at every station 28.1, 58.0, 1:27.0 and
scored a scant neck wire to wire victory over a tough Stick With Kid to
re-established a new track record of 1:56.0. Eye OFA Tiger AS is trained by
Anette Lorentzon and was driven into the record books by Jason Bartlett and
returned $3.20. The Walner looking clone has now earned over $90,000 for owners
ACL Stuteri and Kjell Johansson Aces and Eights finished 3rd
The
Excelsior A series saw Zacks Zoomer win by a head in 1:57.3, narrowly defeating
Winneress for the Marcus Miller – Erv Miller team. Big Man EV gave Andy Miller
his 2nd win of the afternoon in 1:57.2, besting Sweetchap by a scant
head for his second win of 2017. Southwind Cruze (Chapter 7) scored in
1:59.2 for Team Miller, giving them the hat trick.
In Excelsior
B competition Deepwell (Conway Hall) won by 2 lengths in 1:59.4 - $15.00, for
trainer Ed Hart and driver Jordan Stratton and Too Much Man held off Barn
Winner for driver Paul Long in 1:58.2, for his 4th win of the year.
Chapter 7
had 3 sons entering the winners circle, total handle on the 13-race card was
$520,133, Pick 5 carryover for tomorrows card is $1,520.00. The next Sire
Stakes are 2-Year-Old Colt Pacers on July 24th.
