by Sam Pendolino, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — He’s Watching, a 2-year-old colt by American Ideal, out of the Real Desire mare Baberhood, won his $37,862 division of the New York Sire Stakes in 1:55.4 at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night (July 10). That winning time now goes in the record book replacing Heston Blue Chip’s time of 1:56.2 set in 2011.

Paul White photo

He’s Watching scored in a track record time of 1:55.4.

It was the second lifetime start and win for He’s Watching, who was a $3,000 Standardbred Horse Sale purchase last year, and is owned by David Manery, Brad Gray and Michael Guerriero. Manery does the training.

He’s Watching ($2.70), driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., broke stride in leaving from post seven and settled in last as eventual second place finisher El Bloombito (Jeff Gregory) hit the quarter in :29.2.

With one of the most amazing brushes ever seen at this race track, Morrill swung He’s Watching to the outside and by the time the field hit the half he had the lead in :59. It was cruise control the rest of the way, and with a :28 last quarter-mile He’s Watching was 1-1/2 lengths ahead at the wire. Hardts Or Bettor (John Cummings, Jr.) came in third.

“He took a couple of bad steps at the start,” said Morrill. “I got him settled, and when I pulled the plugs down the backstretch, he was gone.”

Another impressive victory was turned in by Murder He Wrote (Kenneth J-Jk Dancing Queen) who was capably driven by Jeff Gregory for owner Camelot Stables Inc. The Linda Toscano trained pacer stopped the timer in 1:57 for his first lifetime victory.

The other Sire Stakes winner was Major Trick (Art Major-Tricky) in 1:57.3 with Morrill in the bike.

Racing will resume on Friday (July 12), with first post scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (EDT).