by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Joe Larry N Curly (Roll With Joe-Life’s Image) broke the track record for 2-year-old pacers on Thursday (Sept. 17) at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Melissa Simser photo

Joe Larry N Curly won in a track record time of 1:53.1.

The Mark Harder-trained freshman colt was the public’s overwhelming betting favorite in a $73,712 New York Sire Stakes race on a beautiful afternoon in the Spa City.

Jim Morrill Jr. piloted the 2-year-old pacing star and moved him to the lead going to the opening quarter. Only briefly confronted in the mile, Joe Larry N Curly was confidently piloted and well in hand at the wire while a measured one length winner in 1:53.1.

The win time bested the previous mark of 1:53.3 for a freshman pacing colt set by Heston Blue Chip on the Night of Champions at Saratoga in 2011.

The victory moved Joe Larry N Curly’s record to five-for-eight in the win column for the breakout freshman star of the NY Sire Stakes who will head into next week’s Night of Champions as one of the favorites.

Harder won the other $73,712 division of the NYSS as well as his Autotune Hanover (Art Major-Anderosa Hanover) cruised to victory in 1:54.2 with Tyler Buter at the lines.

For Autotune Hanover, it was the fourth win in eight tries on the season.

Live racing continues on Friday night with first post time set for 6:45 p.m.