by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — Many of the top 2-year-old pacing colts in the New York Sire Stakes strutted their stuff in the three $49,000-plus divisions over the rain soaked half-mile oval at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon (September 7) and when the judges hung the official signs Heston Blue Chip, Steelhead Hanover and Forever Just walked away with the lion’s share of the purses.
Arguably the standout freshman in the NYSS series, Heston Blue Chip had it all his own way when driver Tim Tetrick gunned him to the lead and teased his competition by turning in fractions of :29:4, :59.4 and 1:29.4 before lighting the afterburners and rambling the last stanza in :28.1 en route to a 1:57.2 victory over Dynamic Youth, driven by George Brennan.
Owner Ken Jacobs rushed to greet Tetrick in the winner’s circle and they were joined by trainer Linda Toscano and needless to say it was a happy occasion for them. Tetrick could be overheard telling Jacobs “why should we go any faster than we had to since we still have some big races left (this year).”
Jacobs was asked why this colt still has his original name since Jacobs usually changes them to end with a “J” for Jacobs.
“We wanted to change his name to Brian J but the USTA said there were too many Brians already so we just left it alone,” Jacobs related. “And besides I was always a Charlton Heston fan anyway.”
While Heston Blue Chip paid $2.40 for win, bridge-jumpers off track plunked down more than $13,000 to show on the winner. Now with six wins and a second in seven lifetime starts, the big rangy son of American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip now has banked $116,836 for Jacobs.
The fastest of the three NYSS splits was a 1:56.1 clocking by Steelhead Hanover when, almost shockingly, he reeled in the pacesetter and 1-5 betting favorite, Lawgiver Hanover, in the final strides to score a head triumph.
Joe Pavia, Jr., who drove Steelhead Hanover, was surprised at his colt’s triumph.
“I was next to last up the backside and when I moved him out he rushed toward the front but I thought I was racing for second money only at that point,” Pavia said. “But when we came off the final turn and I saw George (Brennan) tap his colt I thought, hey, maybe we have a chance to win it. And darned if my colt didn’t collar Brennan’s at the wire.”
Though Pavia was a happy man so was co-owner Joe Barbera, who joined in the winner’s circle presentation.
“I usually cheer for Lawgiver (Hanover) since I owned the dam and sold her to Hanover Shoe Farms but when my colt was challenging him (for the victory) I had to change who I was rooting for,” Barbera said with a laugh. “I was surprised that we won it because Lawgiver has been one of the top colts in the Sires Stakes this year and he was such a favorite from the rail (position).”
Barbera co-owns the Bettor’s Delight-Special Beauty colt with Dijo Racing, AGC Stables and Steven Held. Trained by Pavia, Steelhead Hanover paid $17.40 for win. It was the colt’s third win in seven starts, which raised his seasonal bankroll to $79,259.
A third spilt saw Tetrick and Forever Just motor to a gate-to-wire, 1:58 triumph over Twin B Hollister and Jimmy Morrill, Jr. in spite of having to start on the far outside in the seventh post position. It was the colt’s sixth victory in eight starts and raised his earnings to $117,218.
Forever Just, owned by Stake Your Claim Stable and Fred Wallace, gave trainer Linda Toscano two Sire Stakes victories on the afternoon card. Sent off at odds of 3-4, the son of Bettor’s Delight-Forever Cam paid $3.50.