Social Scene and driver George Brennan blistered to a 1:52.2
track record performance in their division of the $155,000 NY Sires States at
Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon, September 11 and in doing so
their time erased the former mark of 1:52.3 set last year on August 28 by
Romantic Moment and Yannick Gingras.
It was perfect day for making speed with high humidity,
bright sunshine and the temperature in the mid-90’s. Racing fans were offered a
solid 13-racecard with three divisions in the NYSS and four $12,700 splits in
the Excelsior Series, all for sophomore pacing fillies. And My Shiyen’s
1:56.1triumph for Jimmy Morrill, Jr. in an Excelsior split was the ‘slowest’ of
the seven events. Incredibly, four the filly’s races went in 1:54.4 or faster.
But in spite of the all speedy miles registered the day
belonged to Casie Coleman-trained Social Scene when she paced through fractions
of:28.3,:56.3, 1:24 and finished in 1:52.2.
After Jason Bartlett and JK Black Beauty grabbed the early
lead Brennan made a quarter pole move to the front and once Social Scene was on
top Brennan let her ramble. She had three lengths at the half; seven lengths at
the three quarters ; and finished five lengths in front of runner-up
Springforth , driven by Bruce Aldrich, Jr. JK Black
Beauty held on for third money.
Brennan was asked in the winner’s circle why he opened up so
much daylight on the field.
“She’s been having throat problems and I kept her
rolling and didn’t want to shut her off,” he said.” She’s a real nice
filly and she went a big trip here today.”
The daughter of American Ideal-On The Catwalk scored her
sixth victory in 11 starts and raised her bankroll to over $160,000
for owners West Wind Stable, Steve Calhoun and Mac T. Nichol. She paid $4.10
for win.
The day got underway with the series top campaigner
Summertime Lea and driver Jimmy Morrill, Jr. cruising to a very easy 1:54.1
triumph in the first NYSS division .
Sent off at odds of 1-9, Morrill sent Summertime Lea to the
lead and they were never in doubt as Lislea-Donna Summer filly easily paced
through fractions of :28.1; :57.2; 1:26.2 and finished 1-1/2
lengths ahead of Free Time with George Brennan aboard. Brussels Hanover
finished third for Bruce Aldrich, Jr.
“It worked out good for us today because she had an easy
trip going onto the final, “Morrill said of Summertime Lea whom he figures will
be at the top of her game in her $225,000 NYSS finale at Yonkers Raceway
on September 28. “She wanted to go more but I tried not to let her.”
Brennan, who began his illustrious career at the Mighty M,
also won another NYSS split when he guided Cheyenne Miriam to a 1:54.3 victory.
In that wide open event four fillies were sent off at odds
of 3-1 or less with Cheyenne Miriam sent away co-favored at 2-1.
She left from the four-hole and Brennan settled her in along the pylons in
third position and reveled in the fast early fast speed set by Pat Lachance and
Sir Lehigh Z Tam.
It wasn’t until the field headed up the backside that
Brennan decided to make a move and when he did Cheyenne Miriam zipped to the
front and coasted home an easy two length winner over the Jason Bartlett-driven
Bettor Think Twice. Third place went to Park N Orchard with Marcus
Miller in the pilot’s seat.
“The speed cleared. They came back to me and we just jogged,
“Brennan said, about his easy journey with Cheyenne Miriam and then added,
“She’s a good one.”
It was the filly’s 10th win in19 starts and
the victory raised her seasonal earnings to over $219,000. The Cheyenne Gang,
LLC are the lessees of the daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Alibacca. She paid
$6.50 for win.
It took speed to win the four Excelsior Series races as
well. Morrill won two, both trained by Jean Drolet. His first triumph for
Drolet was with Trevor’s BeBe ($2.10), a $4000 yearling purchase at the
Morrisville Sale, in 1:54.4.
Co-owner Bill Siegel, on hand for the winner’s circle
presentation, was asked why his filly wasn’t racing in the Sire Stakes
instead of the Excelsior Series to which he replied: “We didn’t pay much for
her and (we) didn’t realize that she is as good as she is. She’s really
come on of late.”
Morrill also scored with My Shiyen in 1:56.1for Drolet
and also won an overnight race making it four wins on the card for the
talented reinsman.
Other Excelsior Series winners included; Know It All
($8.10) in 1:55.1 for John Stark, Jr., and Aria J ($7.00) in 1: 55.2 for Mark
MacDonald
