by M. Kelly Young, Executive Assistant, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Syracuse, NY — Magical Murphy set the fastest time of the Syracuse Mile meet so far, winning his New York Sires Stakes State Fair division in 1:56 on the second afternoon of the three-day affair. It was a maiden-breaking victory for the two-year-old pacing colt directed by Jeff Gregory.

Rowena Blazer Photo

Magical Murphy and driver Bill Bailey won in 1:56 at the Syracuse Mile on Saturday, the fastest time of the meet so far.

“That was a big mile for this track today,” said trainer Chuck Connor, Jr. Though rated fast, the track surface was still slightly off after rains earlier in the week.

“He’s a good colt and there’s nothing really special about him,” added Connor, who trained down the son of Magical Mike at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania. “He just does his job and has worked hard all along. He is going to stick with the Sires Stakes the rest of the year.”

Magical Murphy, who was the 2-5 favorite, is owned by Southwind Farm and Martha and Milton Frank.

Another freshman pacing colt, Dear Old Boy, surprised some bettors by downing the undefeated odds-on favorite Pat’s All Star in 1:56¹.

“I sat behind him last time and I couldn’t beat him, so I figured I had to be out front to win,” said driver Gates Brunet, who parked out Pat’s All Star when he and driver Jeff Gregory came calling at the three-quarters.

Brunet’s wife, Deborah, trains the son of Village Jove, which he co-owns with Ted Gewertz.

“I was a little surprised, that other horse (Pat’s All Star) is tough, but Gates drove him like a winner,” said Gewertz.

Gewertz and his wife, Claire Chappell, traveled to Syracuse from New York City to watch their young starter. Meanwhile, at The Meadows in Western Pennsylvania, several of their horses were trying their luck in the Adios Stakes.

Mickeys Hit, a three-year-old trotting gelding, met owner Richard Dow’s prediction and finally won his first race of the year after overcoming several health challenges. Earlier in the season the horse’s connections discovered he needed thyroid medicine and was allergic to alfalfa — something he was eating every day.

With those hurdles behind him, Mickeys Hit scored a 2:00³ career mark with driver Bill Bailey on board.

“Billy (driver Bailey) was a little worried before the race,” revealed Dow. “He thought the bit wasn’t right in the horse’s mouth and I said he would get it right when he started going. Then I told him to drive him however he thought was best.”

The driver worked out a second-over trip and charged down the outside of the stretch for the two length win.

Rowena Blazer Photo

Omega Angel ran his win streak to three when Scott Mongeon directed him to a victory at the Syracuse Mile on Saturday.

Omega Angel demonstrated that he’s back by taking home his third straight win following a rough start to the season. Owned by Vernon Devine and Doug Morton, the three-year-old trotting gelding is trained by John Mongeon, Jr. He won in 1:59².

El Paso Gal continued to rule the three-year-old trotting filly class with a 2:00¹ victory in her State Fair division. The filly pulled out of the pocket and charged home down the stretch with a :28³ last quarter to score her fifth win of the season with driver Gary Gibson. Jody Weidman trains for Paul and Pauline Nower.

Racing and pari-mutuel wagering continues at the Syracuse Mile on Sunday, August 14, when the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot, the highlight of the three-day meet, will be raced in two $109,150 divisions. Two Hambletonian finalists are among the 14 starters. Post time is 1:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Free buses are available from downtown Syracuse to the track each racing day. Blue Chip Transportation buses will leave from the intersection of East Washington and Salina Streets at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Buses will depart for the return trip from the NYS Fairgrounds 15 minutes after the last race.

Hall of Fame nominee Ron Pierce and others to meet fans Sunday

Hall of Fame nominee Ron Pierce, recently crowned driving champion at the Meadowlands Racetrack, will be on hand to meet and greet fans this Sunday before the final program of the Syracuse Mile harness racing meet. He and other prominent reinsmen will meet the public during a special “Meet The Syracuse Mile Drivers” event at 11:30 a.m.

During the afternoon’s 12 race program, which begins at 1:00 p.m., Pierce will be directing horses in both $109,150 divisions of the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial Open Trot. He will be behind 3-1 morning line favorite American Mike in the eighth race and behind longshot Arctic Hanover in the 11th race.

Mal Burroughs, one of only two amateur drivers in history to win the Hambletonian, will also join the event. He will direct his filly Malabar Melody in the Filly Zweig later in the afternoon.

Also attending will be New York Sires Stakes leading driver Jeff Gregory, who won five races on opening day of the Syracuse Mile meet, and top Vernon Downs reinsman Howard Okusko, Jr.

A short question and answer session with the drivers will be followed by an autograph signing. The event will be held in the family area beside the grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds.