Only 11 New York-bred two-year-old colt and gelding pacers will visit America’s oldest lighted harness track this year to compete for the $106,000 in purses available in the New York Sire Stakes, but the quality overrides the quantity that will race at Batavia Downs this Friday night (September 1).
The first $53,500 division – which is a six-horse split that has been carded as Race 3 – features the undefeated Hitman Hill and Casual Cool.
Hitman Hill (American Ideal-Fox Valley Shaker) got a late start this year, but he has made the most of his outings, as he is three-for-three so far this season. Starting and winning in the Excelsior ‘A’ level, Hitman Hill moved up to the NYSS quickly and torched a lifetime-best 1:50.4 over a ‘sloppy’ track at Vernon Downs in only his second lifetime start. He has since won at Yonkers in 1:53.2 and very much looks like a speed horse to be reckoned with.
Hitman Hill has drawn Post 1 for trainer Chris Oakes, and the western New York native has assigned Brett Miller line duty for the night. The track oddsmaker has him pegged at 6-5.
Casual Cool (American Ideal-Sight To See) is almost perfect this year, as he has won four out of five starts, all of which have come in NYSS action. The horse has raced well on both big and small tracks and over wet and dry surfaces. His lifetime best came at Vernon Downs as well, where he won handily in 1:52.2 with a wicked :26.3 final quarter. He is also the highest money earner in this race with $80,303 already in the bank.
Trainer Linda Toscano has put Batavia’s leading driver, Drew Monti, in the bike behind Casual Cool for the Friday outing and they will depart from Post 3 at 3-1.
The second $52,500 split has been carded as Race 4 and will feature a field of five. The dash will feature three horses that are currently firing on all cylinders.
Paprike Blue Chip (Roll With Joe-Bliss N Vinegar) has won two out of four NYSS events, including tying his lifetime-best effort of 1:54.2 at Yonkers Raceway last week. The gelding has not missed the board in five starts and he boasts the highest earnings of his Friday foes ($68,048) and doesn’t seem to mind who drives him.
This week, Jim Morrill Jr., who won with him at Saratoga Raceway on August 8, will be back in the bike for trainer John Butenschoen, and the duo will start from Post 3 at 8-5.
Jersey Jim (Artiscape-Jersey Pearl) has overcome an early-season breaking problem and has blossomed into a fleet-footed flyer. After having taken his mark of 1:54.1 at Saratoga, Jersey Jim finished second off a trip at Vernon Downs in 1:50.4 behind Hitman Hill (he paced his mile in 1:51.3). Last week at Yonkers he overcame a slow start from Post 7 to close quickly and finish third and this short field plays right into his closing style.
Jersey Jim will get his regular driver Jim Devaux again and they will start from Post 5 at 9-5 for trainer Perry Simser.
My Delight (Betterthancheddar-Kg Delight) hasn’t won since breaking his maiden in an overnight event in July, but he also hasn’t missed the board in any of his NYSS starts, either. He’s shown the ability to leave, but seems just as content to travel off a trip. He figures to get a good journey here and will be in a close stalking position to make a play at the end of the mile.
Trainer Homer Hochstetler has called upon Bret Miller to steer this week and they have drawn Post 2 and are the early third choice at 5-2.
There is also a pair of $15,000 Excelsior ‘A’ series events on the program that have been carded as Race 6 and 7.
Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)