"She's back!" Those were the first two words out of the mouth of a relieved Jim Morrill Jr. after he drove Mosquito Blue Chip ($3.70) to an impressive one and a half length victory over Shes Heavenly in a track record time of 1:53.3 in the New York Sire Stakes for the three-year-old filly pacers at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (June 3).
The time broke the old standard of 1:54.1 established in 2014 by Sweetnsinful.
Band Of Angels and Bettorhaveanother also scored victories in their respective $39,900 divisions, but neither could top the performance turned in by Mosquito Blue Chip.
The 2014 New York Sire Stakes two-year-old filly pacing champion, Mosquito Blue Chip started the season with three rather mundane tries, finishing no better than fourth. But Morrill Jr. knew her fortunes were ready to change.
"I thought she was a little better last week, but didn't give her the best trip. But I knew she was coming around," Morrill Jr. said.
Mosquito Blue Chip was sent right to the lead from the five post and set reasonable fractions of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:26.1. But it was all over from there as Mosquito Blue Chip (Bettors Delight-Vanite Semalu) cruised to a :27.2 to final panel to keep any threats from developing.
"She needed no urging," Morrill Jr. said of the last quarter-mile.
Shes Heavenly (Kevin Cummings) took the place position while Bettor N Better (Matt Kakaley) finished in third.
With her first victory in four starts this year, the Paul Jessop-trained Mosquito Blue Chip now has earned $23,938 in 2015 and $264,489 lifetime.
Morrill Jr. got his second Sire Stakes win of the evening aboard Bettorhaveanother. A gutsy move by Morrill Jr. early in the race set up Bettorhaveanother for the victory.
Watching a battle for the lead in the early going, Morrill Jr. found a tiny hole to drop Bettorhaveanother in the fifth position. That maneuver proved to be a good one as the tandem was able to pull out, pass traffic, and move into the pocket behind the pacesetting My Little Delight.
In the stretch, Bettorhaveanother used the 'lightning lane' and collared My Little Delight (Cummings) by a neck in 1:55.4 while Heaven On Earth (John MacDonald) took third.
"She took a couple of bad steps in the beginning so I wanted to drop her in to relax her. They were going kind of slow so I had to pull her out," Morrill Jr. said of the second move. He added about the stretch drive, "I had to steady her a bit, but she was good."
Trained by Jackie Rousse and co-owned by Janie Martin and Kellogg Racing Stable, Bettorhaveanother (Bettors Delight-Katie My Girl) has now won four straight, earning $56,850 in five seasonal starts. She has now bankrolled $71,130 lifetime.
Band Of Angels had the easiest time of all three divisions as she romped to a four and three-quarter length win over Hipnumberone (Gregory Merton) in 1:54.2. Gweneeee J (John Cummings Jr.) took the show spot.
Winning driver Matt Kakaley said of Band Of Angels, "She was very good. I really wasn't worried about anyone."
Taking the lead just past the opening marker, Band Of Angels ($5.10) went :58 to the half and never looked back thanks to a :27.2 last stanza.
Trained by Ron Burke and owned by W.J. Donovan, Band Of Angels (Rock N Roll Hanover-Time N Again) earned her first victory in three appearances this season. The win pushed her career earnings to $210,413.
In the $15,000 Excelsior 'A' Series, Hot Lemonade ($9.40) and driver James MacDonald took the first division in 1:55.4 while Jag Out ($5.30) and Matt Kakaley captured the second division in 1:56.
In the non-betting $6,400 Excelsior 'B' Series event, Kaitlyn Akeeper jogged to a 2:02.2 victory with Morrill Jr. in the sulky.
It was also a record-tying night in the 12th race as Skyway Tia (Cummings) tied the track record for four-year-old filly/mare pacers with a 1:55 clocking. The time of the mile tied the mark set in 2009 by Bet The Ranch.
Racing returns on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)