The 2009 New York Sire Stakes season came to a close last night at Batavia Downs with three divisions of New York-Bred Late Closers for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters
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The fastest of the three winners was the Cr Excalibur--Sunrise Isle gelding Sun Island. Put right on the lead by trainer/driver Dan Daley, Sun Island trotted to a three-length score in a lifetime best 2:01.2 for his third win of the season.
The contingent of Ann-Mari Daley, Charles Iannazzo, Richard Lombardo and Albert Crawford own Sun Island, whose freshman earnings are now over $37,000.
“He won handily tonight,” Dan Daley said. “We got kind of a late start with him but I think he’s going to be a really nice three-year-old.”
The Purple Haze Stables' Hes So Savvy dug in down the lane for a neck score in 2:03.2 for his second win of the season for trainer Jessica Okusko and reinsman Howie Okusko, Jr.
Iroquoindianburn won the first Late Closer of the evening, a non-betting event, in 2:05.1. Alan Schwartz was in the bike for trainer Raheim Strong. The Malabar Man- Iroquoindianscent colt won for the first time in his career.
Two track records were broken this season in the New York Sire Stakes action. Russell Hill became the fastest three-year-old trotting colt ever at Batavia when he won in 1:57.4 in rein to Jim Morrill, Jr. OK Braveheart became the fastest three-year-old pacing colt or gelding when he romped in 1:52.2 also with Morrill driving.
(With files from Batavia)