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

Saratoga Springs, NY — Cross Creek Smokey shocked both the public, paying $90.00, and his owner when he scored in a $21,302 New York Sires Stakes division for three-year-old trotting colts at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway on Tuesday, July 20.

“It was quite a surprise,” said an elated Michael Pozefsky, who shares ownership in the Giant Hit colt with his brother, William, and longtime friend Myron Ekstein. “Today he felt like racing and other days he doesn’t. He wanted to race tonight and he was ready to go. He was on his good behavior.”

Trained at Saratoga by Maureen Salino, Dan Cappello, Jr. drove Cross Creek Smokey for the first time. The pair came first over from the back of the pack and up the outside in late stretch to win in 2:02³.

Though Cross Creek Smokey broke his maiden with this race, he is more accustomed to breaking stride at inopportune moments. Pozefsky says this has more to do with the colt being a little head strong than with his actual ability. He did put together a second place finish in his Sires Stakes start at Buffalo Raceway.

Several other upsets also highlighted the evening. Hey Won and driver William Bailey cut the mile and turned back all challenges by 2-5 favorite Last Call At Dem’s to win the evening’s fastest division in 1:59¹ for Dominick Rosato and David Dewhurst. He is a son of Majestic Victory.

“You hope for a trip like that, but you don’t always get one,” said Bailey in the winner’s circle. “After (Last Call At Dem’s) tried me out of the two hole a couple of times, I thought I could beat him. He just tired himself out.”

After leaving the gate the Ray Schnittker-trained and driven Last Call At Dem’s tried to come first up at the half and the three-quarters, but was rebuffed.

“We made three moves; I don’t think he raced bad,” said Stephen Demeter, co-owner of the third placed colt, and whose bar the colt is named after. “I take nothing away from the winner, he was very good tonight and we had a tough trip.”

Schnittker did score with Nauru Blue Chip, a son of Sir Taurus. The pair cut the mile to win in 1:59³ for the team of Schnittker, Seal Stable and Jack Adkins.

In another division, Omega Angel took himself out of contention early and in his absence, Chuckie Two waited his turn third along the rail and then rushed up the inside down the stretch to win in 2:01². He paid $30.20 for a winning ticket.

Lewis Miller owns the Lainie’s Star gelding, trained by Wesley Miller and driven here by Bert Belanger.

Sire El Paso Kash scored two winners on the card. Penthouse Kash won his first race of the year for Rodney Farms, Paul Nojaim and Carlisle Smith in 2:00⁴. Rapphappy Kash, who has gone off as the post-time favorite in all of his starts, won his event in 2:00² for Paul and Pauline Nower.

“He’s coming into his own,” said trainer and driver Gary Gibson of Rapphappy Kash. “I didn’t plan on being parked out for half a mile, but he’s the kind of horse that it doesn’t bother him.”