Hes Watching, a two-year-old colt by American Ideal out of the Real Desire mare Baberhood, won his $37,862 division of the New York Sire Stakes in 1:55.4 at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday, July 10. The win time lowered the track record for the division, which was previously 1:56.2, recorded by Heston Blue Chip in 2011.
It was the second lifetime start, and win, for Hes Watching, who was a $3,000 Harrisburg purchase last year, and is owned by Ontario's David Menary, Brad Gray and Michael Guerriero. Menary does the training.
Hes Watching ($2.70), driven by reinsman Jim Morrill Jr., broke stride from Post 7 and settled in last as the eventual second-place finisher, El Bloombito (driven by Jeff Gregory), hit the quarter in :29.2.
With one of the most amazing brushes ever seen at Buffalo, Morrill swung Hes Watching to the outside, and by the time the field hit the half, Hes Watching had the lead in :59.
It was cruise control for Hes Watching the rest of the way. He capped off his mile with a :28 final quarter. Hes Watching was a one and a half-length winner at the wire. Hardts Or Bettor (John Cummings Jr.) finished third.
“He took a couple of bad steps at the start,” said Morrill. “I got him settled, and when I pulled the plugs down the backstretch, he was gone.”
Another impressive victory was turned in by Murder He Wrote (Kenneth J-JK Dancing Queen) who was capably driven by Jeff Gregory for owner Camelot Stables Inc. of Freehold, NJ. The Linda Toscano-trained pacer stopped the timer in 1:57 for his first lifetime victory.
The other NYSS winner was Major Trick (Art Major-Tricky) in 1:57.3. Jim Morrill Jr. was in the bike.
Racing will resume on Friday July 12, with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m. eastern time.
(Buffalo Raceway)