by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Nichols, NY — Jim Morrill Jr. continued his success on the New York Sire Stakes circuit on Friday (July 31) evening at Tioga Downs, prevailing in five of the evening’s 10 races.

Fred Brown photo

Soft Idea kicked clear of her rivals by 4-3/4 lengths, winning her New York Sire Stakes event in 1:54.2.

Among his wins was a $56,500 New York Sire Stakes split for 2-year-old pacing fillies, in which Soft Idea ($3.00) kicked clear in the upper stretch after staving off mild pressure on the far turn.

Soft Idea, a daughter of American Ideal and Walk Softly, was relaxed in the early stages, brushing from fourth to clear Wishy Washy Girl (Ray Schnittker) after a :27.4 first quarter.

Once making the lead with a circuit to go, Soft Idea pulled the pace back through middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.1 before Mother Of Art (Mike Simons) applied mild first-over pressure through the far turn.

Soft Idea kicked clear off the far turn, opening up 4-3/4 lengths on her rivals for a 1:54.2 triumph. Mother Of Art held second, while Art Critic (Aaron Byron) emerged from traffic to take third.

Linda Toscano trains Soft Idea for the South Mountain Stables, the Bay’s Stable, the Radio Racing Stable, and Little E LLC.

The other featured New York Sire Stakes event on the evening saw No Clouds Bluechip ($4.30) claim the winner’s share of a $55,500 purse.

Mike Simons secured the pocket with the daughter of Roll With Joe and B J’s Sunshine, drafting behind American Ivy (Mark MacDonald) through sectionals of :27.1, :57.3, and 1:25.2.

Boxed on the far turn by the first-over Killing Em Softly (Morrill), No Clouds Bluechip found room at the top of the stretch when Killing Em Softly broke stride, edging off the pegs and sprinting to the lead in mid-stretch. No Clouds Bluechip also prevailed in 1:54.2, defeating American Ivy by three-quarters of a length. Vino And Formaggio (Chris Lems) held third off a ground-saving trip.

John Berger trains No Clouds Bluechip for Richard and Farrell Carney, along with Barbara Berger.

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Saturday (Aug. 1) evening, with a 12-race card due to begin at 6:15 p.m. (EDT).