by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Yet another track record fell by the wayside at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday (Sept. 5) when the New York Sire Stakes came into town.

The latest came in a division of the $146,000 NYSS for 2 year-old trotting colts and geldings when Jimmy Morrill, Jr. guided Fashion Blizzard to a 1:58.2 triumph. That clocking erased the one set by RC Royalty and driver Dan Daley on August 29, 2005.

Other New York Sire Stakes winners that afternoon included Tirade Hanover in 2:01 and Wannacmyguns in 2:01.1.

Although six Excelsior Series freshman colt trots made a good supporting undercard, the day belonged to the Jim Campbell-trained Fashion Blizzard.

Geri Schwarz photo

Fashion Blizzard won his NYSS split in a track record time of 1:58.2.

When the gate sprung Morrill was determined to send Fashion Blizzard to the lead and he gained command before the quarter pole as the timer flashed :29.2. And for all intents and purposes the race was over at that point.

The son of Credit Winner-Fun And Strokes cruised on the lead by the half in :58.4, three lengths ahead of Theraputic and driver Jeff Gregory, with the rest of the field in single file. At the third stanza in 1:28 the lead opened to four lengths and approaching the wire Morrill had a good hold on Fashion Blizzard who still had four lengths over Theraputic. Ex King was third for Dan Daley.

In the winner’s circle Morrill was joined by the colt’s caretaker and Morrill turned to him and uttered, “He went so easy I didn’t even have to pull the (ear)plugs.”

After they traded some inaudible comments Morrill could finally be heard uncharacteristically saying to the caretaker, “He’s got plenty of go!”

Sent off at odds of 1-4, Fashion Blizzard paid just $2.50 for win. He is owned by Fashion Farms LLC.

Another good looking colt, Tirade Hanover driven by Brian Sears, won his contest but he didn’t seem like himself. After convincing wins in his last two outings the son of Crazed-Teagarden Hanover struggled to hold on to a 2:01 triumph in his $48,789 NYSS division.

Maybe trotting for the lead at the quarter in :29 from post position eight took a toll, but once on the front end the colt appeared comfortable. He showed the way by a solid length throughout each stanza, but in the lane Sears had to get after him and the colt showed real grit by holding on for a neck victory over Blackwolf Run and Sam Schillaci, who enjoyed a two hole trip. Ruckus and driver Jimmy Morrill, Jr., also with a covered trip, finished third.

Despite having to start from the eight hole, Tirade Hanover’s card was so impressive that he was sent of at odds of just over 1-2 and paid $3.10 for win. The colt, who now has six wins in nine starts, is trained by Tyler Raymer for owners Leigh Nichol, Stephen Moss and Harold and Helene Solomon.

In the other $48,789 NYSS split, 1-9 shot Explosive Action (Jimmy Morrill, Jr.) went off stride at the start and it was bombs away.

In that contest Wannacmyguns and driver John Stark, Jr. were sent off at odds of 16-1 and enjoyed a two hole trip behind 50-1 shot Sand Time and Jimmy Marohn, Jr. before closing in the lane to score a 1-1/2 length victory over 75-1 shot Stirling Bullet, who was handled by Chris Lems. Crazy About Pat, who was 14-1 on the board, finished third for James Rattray. Sand Time faded and finished fourth.

Wannacmyguns, a Conway Hall -Distaff colt owned by Edmund Smith, James Giannuzzo, David Smith and the Crawford Farms, paid $34.80, $10.60 and $14.00 across the board. Second place finisher Stirling Bullet returned $56.50 for place and $61.00 for show. Crazy About Pat, the third place finisher, paid $26.00 for show. The exacta payoff was $1,065, the trifecta returned $8,524.00 and the superfecta was worth a whopping $19,676.

The winners of the six Excelsior Series trots were Imwideawake (Jimmy Devaux-2:01); Rapid Ascent (Dan Daley-2:03.1); Golden Tate (Jay Randall-2:01.4); Eve Ning Out (Phil Fluet-2:04.1); Dreadnaut Hanover (Brian Sears-2:03.1); and Ashes Kash, the NYSS County Fair Champion driven by Harold Smith in 2:01.4 for his 10th victory in 11 starts.