The Batavia Downs track record for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings was equalled Wednesday, August 31 during New York Sire Stakes action.
In the sixth race, Forever Just equaled Flipper J’s 1:54.4 record set last year when he defeated Steelhead Hanover (driven by Jim Morrill, Jr.) by one and a quarter lengths. Dynamic Youth (Chris Page) wound up third. Jason Bartlett was in town to drive Forever Just for trainer Linda Toscano.
Bartlett sent the Bettors Delight--Forever Cam colt to the front and they cut the fractions in :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.1. A :27.3 final stanza ensured the victory and tied the record.
The win was the fifth of the season for Forever Just (who paid $3.50 to Win). The colt has not been worse than second in seven lifetime starts. Stake Your Claim Stables and Fred Wallace own the new track record holder.
Union Man Hanover ($9.40) picked a nice spot to break his maiden when he started off the NYSS action. Having left from the rail, he briefly relinquished the lead to Twin B Hollister (Jim Morrill Jr.). He then moved back to the front at the three-eighths pole and then held off a game Twin B Hollister to score by three quarters of a length in 1:56.1. Greg Merton picked up the catch-drive for trainer Linda Toscano. Raymond J (Jason Bartlett), also trained by Toscano, took the show spot.
Union Man Hanover, an Artiscape--Up Front Rose colt, is owned by Stake Your Claim Stables, Bay’s Stable and D.J. Baer.
Sir Melos Z Tam ($13.00) won the final NYSS division of the evening and survived a judges’ inquiry. With Trainer/driver Patrick Lachance in the bike Sir Melos Z Tam defeated the favoured Glass Prince (Jason Bartlett) by one and a quarter lengths in 1:55.2. Piece of Art Work (Jim Morrill Jr.) was farther back in third.
The victory was the maiden win for the son of American Ideal--Sara Sue who’s owned by Lachance along with Ira Rosenblum and M&M Harness Racing.
(Batavia Downs)