On Monday, July 21, Freedomformysoul established a new Monticello Raceway track record for freshmen pacing colts when Jim Morrill Jr. drove the son of If I Can Dream to a 1:55.2 triumph in their division of the New York Sire Stakes. The victory erased the former standard of 1:55.3 set by Share The Delight in 2007.
Coming into the race off a stunning 1:53.3 track record last week at Saratoga Raceway, Freedomformysoul was understandably the overwhelming betting favourite. Morrill used the front-end route for an easy victory over Rockntouch and driver Yannick Gingras.
After getting looped on the first turn by Mikado Blue Chip (driven by Mark MacDonald), Morrill wheeled his colt back to the lead and they passed the first stanza in a stiff 28 seconds. They then paced the second quarter in :28.2 and reached the halfway point in :56.2. From there, it was a game of ‘catch me if you can,’ and no one could.
“I got to the half faster than I wanted to, so I didn’t even pull the (ear) plugs.” Morrill admitted after the race. “He’s one of the best two-year-olds I’ve ever driven. He’s the real deal.”
Owned by the Freedomformysoul Stable and trained by Nancy Johansson, the son of If I Ca Dream paid $2.30 to win.
Southwind Masimo won a division of the NYSS in 1:55.4 for Pat Lachance. That final time was abetted by speed duel for the lead between We Think Alike (Ray Schnittker) and Old Man Cleary (Yannick Gingras) with early fractions of :27.1, :56.2.
Lachance had Southwind Masimo out after the half and they swept to the front up the backside and were all by themselves at the wire some 11 lengths ahead of K Ryan Blue Chip and driver Joe Pavia Jr.
“They were playing hardball up front which worked out good for me,” Lachance said in the winner’s circle when he stopped for a photograph.
Southwind Masimo is owned in Canada by Hudson Standardbred Stable and Conrad Leber and trained by Lachance. He paid $27.60 for the win.
In yet another NYSS split, Americanprimetime, sent off at odds of over 78-1, lit up the tote board and paid $161.50 for win when Tyler Buter drove him to victory in a time of 1:57. They rallied from five lengths back at the top of the lane to collar Ultimate G, driven by Jason Bartlett.
Americanprimetime is owned by the Rock N Roll Stable and trained by Rick Dane Jr.
Jason Bartlett won a pair of $110,000 NYSS splits. His first was with Twin B Stingray in 1:56.4. He paced a 28-second final quarter en route to victory – they needed every bit of that to hold off Bet You and driver Yannick Gingras by a head.
Twin B Stingray is owned by J & T Silva Racing Stable and C C Stables and trained by Aaron Lambert. He paid $20.20 for the win
Bartlett’s other sire stakes victory came with My Spirit Soars (1:57.2) for owner Daniel Van Wart.
After putting My Spirit Soars on the lead, Corey Braden made a quarter pole move with odds-on favourite JD Hes Da Bomb. Bartlett let them take command before the half. From there, Bartlett bided his time and in the lane rallied My Spirit Soars to a head victory over Berkley and driver Scott Zeron.
“I didn’t want to go with him (Corey Braden) when he came at me near the half, so I let him go. If I didn’t my colt would probably not have gotten a cheque (a piece of the purse),” Bartlett admitted.
Trained by Tom Fanning, My Spirit Soars paid $5.90 for the win.
Excelsior Series winners and their drivers included: Cant It Be Me (2:00 – Bruce Aldrich Jr.); Southwind Rex (1:58.4 – Jeff Gregory); Spiritintheclouds (2:00.3 – Mickey McGivern); Artistic Major (1:59.2 – Brent Holland) and Haydens Little Man (1:59.3 – Phil Fluet).
(Monticello)