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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Eye OFA Tiger AS sets new Track Record - Team Miller wins 3 at Monticello

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.