New York-breds were showcased at Monticello Raceway earlier this afternoon with five $41,110 divisions for two-year-old pacing colts in the New York Sires Stakes.
Though all the Sire Stakes winners went notable trips, Hay Goodlooking and Spacehill were extremely impressive.
Hay Goodlooking was certainly looking good when Gates Brunet reined the son of Art Major to a gritty 1:56:4 victory. Not only did the colt pace a swift last half, but when he was looked in the eye he dug in and refused to lose.
"How many two-year-olds do you see that pace a 56 and 3 (:56:3) last half," said Brunet. "He went a good mile but he'll be even better on a big track."
Hay Goodloooking raced on the front-end and was comfortable by the half mile marker in 1:00:1 before Jimmy Morrill Jr. and favoured Mr. Express took aim at the leader around the clubhouse turn.
They paced side-by-side to the third stanza in 1:28:4 and as they headed into the final turn Mr. Express had a three-quarter length lead on Hay Goodlooking. As soon as Hay Goodlooking was headed he rallied back to take command at the top of the lane and kept Mr. Express at bay through the entire homestretch to score a one length victory.
Hay Goodlooking races for partners Deb Brunet, Ted Gewertz and Sam Dotro.
Spacehill's 1:57 victory was just as impressive.
Jason Bartlett had Big Rock Star on the front-end and as they approached the half way point Morrill, who was sitting third in the early going with the betting favourite, finally moved Spacehill to the outside and when he did he took a deep seat and a good hold.
Spacehill passed the leaders and all Morrill had to do was hold on as the son of Space Shuttle poured on a :28:2 third quarter. With Morrill still swinging on him, Spacehill paced the final stanza in :28:3 en route to the 8-1/2 length triumph over Big Rock Star.
"I couldn't go the last half any slower than :57 seconds," said Morrill. "In fact if they paid me a thousand dollars I couldn't I couldn't have gone it in :57:1."
Trained by Erv Miller for Joshua Demon Hill the victory was the fifth in six lifetime starts and the colt's fifth consecutive win.
Other NYSS winners included Wheres Waldo (1:58:2), Woodstock Hanover (1:58:2) and Giacometti (1:58:2).
(Monticello Raceway)