The New York
Sire Stakes calendar was kind to the freshman trotting colts, as their first
NYSS competition was at Tioga Downs. For today’ contest at Monticello
Raceway (July 31) it was many of the young trotters first start on a twice
around oval. 72 colts comprised 11 of the cards 13 races.
The aptly
named, The Veteran minded his manners in the 1st NYSS $27,250 contest on the
card, Brian Sears carefully floated the son of Muscle Mass – Tequila Summer off
the gait and let the field settle into the first turn, down the backside,
Sear’s tipped his mount to the outside and was parked at the quarter in an even
30 panel, once on the lead, The Veteran carved out fractions of 1:00.4, 1:32
and coasted home an easy 2 length winner in 2:02.1 for his 2nd
consecutive win. The $32,000 Lexington purchase is trained by part owner
George Ducharme along with W. Donavan, Michaels’s and Winske. Seven
Knights was 2nd and Chasin Dreams finished 3rd
The 2nd
heat saw Andy Miller leave the gate hard from post position 7 and take the
garden spot while Cruising In Style showed the way to the ¼, Miller was on the
move with Don and had the lead passed the quarter pole in a brisk 29.2, from
this point he controlled the tempo to score in 1:58.3, an easy 3 length
victory. The son of Credit Winner-Angosture trotted his last quarter in
29.3, he is owned by Andy Miller Stable and Little E LLC and paid $14.20, the
time of 1:58.3 was just a tick off from the track record.
On the
program, it looked like the 7 hole would thwart Purpose Blue Chips effort to
get away unscathed and look for a good trip, but the outside post did not deter
the son of Chapter 7, as the now healed and almost healthy Dan Daley charged
off the gate and went for the lead and showed the field through fractions of
28.4, 59.3, 1:29.0. In the paddock turn, Purpose Blue Chip looked to be
any easy winner, Rich Uncle who was third the entire mile, uncorked a 29.1 last
stanza to put away Purpose Blue Chip by a length. The Credit Winner –
Royal Assets colt is owned by William Donavan, it was his second winner of the
day. Purpose Blue Chip was 2nd, followed by Ronnie Goldstein.
Clive Bigsy
came into the race looking to keep his 3-race win skein intact, the betting
public was betting that he would fail, and was sent off at odd of 6-1, Ake
Svanstedt send Six Pack to the lead and controlled the tempo with splits of
29.2, 59.2 and 1:29.2. Fourth Dimension was lurking in the 3 hole for the
duration, made his move at the 5/8 marker, at the top of the lane it was a
cavalry charge with 3 horses across the track between him, Tito and Six
Pack. But Fourth Dimension was not to be denied, tripping the timer in
track record of 1:58, eclipsing the former record held by Fashion
Blizzard. The $200,000 yearling purchase is owned by Courant Stable of
Delray Beach, Florida, he is trained by Marcus Melander and was driven to
victory by Brian Sears. Clive Bigsby finished 2nd and trotted
home the fastest LQ of the day in 28.0.
The most
unusual race of the day came in the first heat of the Excelsior A, Crackback
Jack made a nasty break going into the first turn and lost a ton of ground for
Andy Miller, while he was regaining his composure after the miscue, On The
Ropes showed the field to the ¼ in 30.3, while approaching the half, On The
Ropes made a break and Babylons Bridge inherited the lead. Going down the
backstretch for the final time, Crackback Jack was still hustling to make up ground
and was 3rd at the half. Chapter Ruth showed the freshman field to
the ¾ mile maker in 1:32, Crackback Jack was now 2nd first over and
On The Ropes, was back in the hunt going 3 wide in the last turn and trotted
away from the rest of them to win in in 2:01.1 by 3 lengths, trotting her last
quarter in 28.4.
Muscle Mass
lead the sire brigade with 4 winners on the card. The next Sire Stakes
action comes on August 21, when 3 Year Old Trotting Fillies come to town.
