On Wednesday, September 7, many of top three-year-old pacing colts in the New York Sire Stakes strutted their stuff in the three $49,000 divisions over a rain-soaked Monticello Raceway. When the judges activated the 'official' signs after the tilts, Heston Blue Chip, Steelhead Hanover and Forever Just walked away with the lion’s share of the purses.

Heston Blue Chip, arguably the standout freshman in the NYSS series, had it all his own way in his dash when driver Tim Tetrick gunned him to the lead and teased his competition by turning in fractions of :29:4; :59:4 and 1:29:4. He then kicked in the afterburners in the lane and rambled the final quarter in :28:1 en route to a 1:57:2 victory over Dynamic Youth, who was driven by George Brennan.

Owner Ken Jacobs rushed to greet Tetrick in the winners circle and they were joined by trainer Linda Toscano. According to a release by Monticello Raceway, Tetrick could be overheard telling Jacobs, “why should we go any faster than we had to since we still have some big races left (this year).”

While Heston Blue Chip paid $2.40 for a successful Win wager, bridge jumpers off track plunked down over $13,000 to show on the winner.

The fastest of the three NYSS splits was a 1:56:1 clocking by Steelhead Hanover when, almost shockingly, he reeled in the pacesetter and 1-5 betting favourite Lawgiver Hanover in the final strides to score a head triumph.

Joe Pavia, who drove Steelhead Hanover, was surprised at his colt’s win.

“I was next to last up the backside and when I moved him out he rushed toward the front, but I thought I was racing for second money only at that point,” Pavia said. “But when we came off the final turn and I saw George tap his colt I thought, hey, maybe we have a chance to win it. And darned if my colt didn’t collar Brennan’s at the wire.”

A third spilt saw Tim Tetrick and the Linda Toscano-trained Forever Just motor to a gate-to-wire triumph in 1:58 after starting from Post 7.

(With files from Monticello)