Break The Bank K continued his winning streak after effortlessly sweeping the second of three divisions of the $98,800 New Jersey Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts on Thursday night at the Meadowlands
Driver Ron Pierce wasted no time guiding Break The Bank K to the lead well before the half and sprinting away to a two-and-one-quarter-length victory, taking the night’s second race in a lifetime best of 1:56. Senor Glide finished second and Wainwright fell back to third. The homebred son of Revenue S-American Misty, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Rich Gillock, is owned by Bob Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
In the first division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for trotting colts, Homerun Hitter and driver Ray Schnittker took the lead on the backstretch and never looked back in the first race of the night in 1:57:2. Classical was one length behind in second, followed by Temple of Doom in third. Homerun Hitter, a son of Muscles Yankee-So So Chic, was a $150,000 yearling purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Pennsylvania by Homerun Hitter Stable of Middletown, New York.
In the third division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for trotting colts, Il Villaggio and driver Tim Tetrick displayed a strong stretch rally to take the third race of the night in 1:55:4. Classic Viking was second, followed by Raps Legacy in third. Il Villaggio, a son of Yankee Glide-Dance To Market, was a $100,000 yearling purchase by Brittany Farms and Il Villaggio Partners of Versailles, Kentucky and Blue Chip Bloodstock of Wallkill, New York, at the Lexington Select in Kentucky. The time of the mile set a New Jersey Sire Stakes record, eclipsing the former 1:56 mark originally set by his sire 13 years to the day in 1996 at The Meadowlands (also equalled earlier on the card by Break The Bank K).
Highbeta Blue Chip moved to the front right before the half and drew off to win the first of three divisions of the co-featured $118,900 New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts.
George Brennan and Highbeta Blue Chip won the night’s fourth race in 1:52.2. Rock N Roll Heaven made an impressive rally down the stretch to finish second while Tobago Cays was third. Trained and co-owned by Ray Schnittker, Highbeta Blue Chip was a $50,000 yearling purchase by owners Steven Arnold of Purchase, NY, Frank Baldassare, of Monroe, NY and Mardon Stables of Loretto, ON. It was the first career win for the son of Western Ideal-Molly Can Do It in three lifetime starts.
In the second division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for pacing colts, Whole Lotta Shakin sat a perfect pocket trip and tipped out down the stretch to take the sixth race of the night in 1:52.3. With driver George Brennan in tow, Whole Lotta Shakin and Gota Go Bullville began slugging it out down the stretch with Whole Lotta Shakin prevailing by just over a length. Rockin Ray finished third. The son of Rocknroll Hanover-Fox Valley Shaker is trained by Bob Horowitz and has now won two of three lifetime starts. Whole Lotta Shakin was a $9,000 yearling purchase by Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, NY, Bob Horowitz of Basking Ridge, NJ and Randolph Perry of Nokomis, FL.
Blue Rock and driver Brian Sears capitalized on a quick early pace and closed strongly in the stretch to win the third division of the New Jersey Sires Stakes for pacing colts in 1:52:2. Mr Salvatore Fra was one length behind in second, followed by Break Dancer in third. Blue Rock, son of Rocknroll Hanover-Lady Indigo, remains undefeated in three career starts. He was a $47,000 yearling purchase by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Randy Ringer, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC at the Lexington Select in Kentucky.
(With files from The Meadowlands & NJSS)
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click here.