New York-bred filly pacers were on display on Friday
afternoon, June 6 at Monticello Raceway with four New York Stakes and four
Excelsior Series events all for sophomore pacing fillies. The queen of the card
turned out to be Spreester when the daughter of American Ideal toured the
double oval in a half-mile lifetime best of 1:54.1 to win her $29,850
split.
“She was just great today,” noted driver Jason Bartlett. “We
brushed to the top at the half and she scooted away and was pretty much in
control from there on especially when she kicked in a :28 last quarter.”
Spreester is undefeated at the Mighty M having won twice in
the Excelsior Series as a 2 year old including the $45,000 series finale.
She came into today’s contest off a 1:53.2 victory in
an Excelsior Series Pace at Vernon Downs last Saturday and she handled the move
up to the NYSS without a bit of trouble. The betting favorite Better Chill Out,
driven by Jeff Gregory, chased Spreester to the wire but finished 1-1/2 lengths
behind the winner.
Owned by Kimberly Zabielski and trained by Paul Zabielski,
Spreester paid $6.30 for win.
Jimmy Morrill, Jr. won a pair of NYSS races; first with Just
Add Vodka in 1:55.3 and then with Carlotta Blue Chip in 1:55.
Morrill worked out a perfect two-hole trip with Just Add
Vodka when he shadowed pace-setter Up Front Elizabeth and driver Mark MacDonald
until the top of the stretch and then rallied to a one length victory that
$29,850 split.
After the race Morrill was asked how she (Just Add Vodka)
handled in the race and he quickly replied, “She’s a Blue Chip horse
that’s all you need to know.”
The daughter of Art Major is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock,
Steve Demeter, Dr. Herbie Burns and Naheul Agosti and trained by Julie Miller.
Just Add Vodka returned a $3.10 win mutuel.
In a third $30,450 NYSS division Morrill used the front-end
route with Carlotta Blue Chip to score an easy three-length triumph over
Anegada and driver Jeff Gregory. Odds on favorite Scandalicious was never in
the hint finished third, four lengths behind the winner.
Carlotta Blue Chip, an American Ideal filly, is owned by the
Purple Haze Stable and trained by Trond Smedshammer. She paid $9.60 for win.
A final NYSS was won by It Was Fascination driven by Scott
Zeron. In that contest Zeron kept the daughter of American Ideal near the pace
in third position and at the top of the lane they were two lengths behind the
Jimmy Morrill, Jr-driven Blush Hanover. However It Was Fascination rallied and
overtook the leader to score a head victory in a time of 1:55.2.
Owned by Riverview Racing, Alagna Racing, and Bay State
Stable and trained by Tony Alagna, It Was Fascination was dismissed in the
wagering and returned $23.60 for win.
Driver Scott Zeron made his Mighty M debut today and he also
scored a victory in the Excelsior Series when he guided Elizabeth Blue Chip to
a 1:58.2 triumph.
“Hey I love it here. I’m undefeated at Monticello,” he
laughed.
Other Excelsior Series winners were: Just Fine (Jeff
Gregory) in 1:58 and Whimsies in 1:57.2, and Ubettorbeturlife in 1:57.1.
Both were driven by Matt Kakaley.
