With a card full of thrilling stakes, horses fast enough to shake up some serious speed, and a driver who sits on top, Batavia Downs Casino was hot Friday night
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Jim Morrill Jr. won seven out of his nine drives, including all three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes. The record for most wins on one card at Batavia is eight, held by Morrill Jr. and John Cummings Jr.
In the first $47,491 division, Miss Annie J ($2.20) broke stride shortly after leaving the gate, but caught up quickly and bolted outside to take the lead by the half mile marker in :57.3. She continued with her groove to finish first in 1:55 by two and three quarters lengths. Busybeingfabulous (Greg Merton) was second and Diana Blue Chip (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished third.
Miss Annie J, a career-winner of $195,260, is owned by Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, New York and trained by Linda Toscano.
Speaking about her break, Morrill stated, “I was looking at her lines [in the program] and she had shown doing that a couple races down so I was just going out easy. I was going to wait for her to settle, but I didn’t expect that. It kind of surprised me.”
In the next $47,491 division, Tea Party Princess ($2.40), who had not raced in 28 days, came out in top form, winning by two lengths and establishing a new track record for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Asteria Blue Chip (Jordan Stratton) charged out of the gate while Tea Party Princess settled in fourth at the quarter. Morrill pulled out before they hit the stretch the first time and flew past the field around the clubhouse turn, taking the lead at the three quarters in 1:24.4. From there she cruised home untested, winning in 1:53.2.
The victory brought her lifetime earnings to $176,390 for owner Brad Gray of Dundas, Ont. Tea Party Princess is trained by David Menary.
Alexachase (Greg Merton) drafted in for second and Asteria Blue Chip hung on for third.
The new track record lasted for all of one race as New Album ($2.90) smoked the field in the third and final $46,591 leg.
City Delight (Jack Flanigen) took the early lead and was backing into the field approaching the quarter. Morrill pulled out and roared to the lead in :28 flat. From that point on, she was unchallenged and the only matter of concern was speed. New Album finished the race in an astonishing 1:52.4, another new track record.
Her lifetime winnings reached $279,990 with this win. She is owned by Jeffrey Bamond of Brick, New Jersey, Baron Racing Stable of Horsham, Pennsylvania, and Mark Kesmodel, who also trains the filly. Mystical Gypsy (Greg Merton) was a fast closing second and All About Kisses (Stephane Bouchard) was the best of the rest.
“She’s a serious filly," said Morrill. "She just raced five days ago; she’s a keeper. She likes what she does. She’s not the prettiest thing but she gives you 100 per cent. I like her.”
The former track record at Batavia Downs for three-year-old pacing fillies was set by Isabella Blue Chip (1.54.1) in 2007. New Album's time of 1:52.4 is only four-fifths of a second off the all-time, all-age track record of 1:52 flat, set be Kenneth J.
Jim Morrill Jr.’s night of successes also included the second race with White Jade ($2.70), the sixth with Hello Carlo ($3), the 10th with Izzy ($2.70), and the 12th with Grayland Becky ($3).
Racing resumes on Saturday night, August 27. Post time is at 6:40 p.m. Racing fans are reminded that the first matinee of the season takes place this Sunday, post time is 1:15 p.m. New York Sire Stakes action continues on Wednesday night when the two-year-old pacing colts head into town.
(With files from Batavia Downs)