by Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs hosted two divisions of the $108,000 New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (Aug. 9).

Paul White photo

Joe Larry N Curly was a 1:56.2 winner for driver Jim Morrill Jr.

The star of the show was Joe Larry N Curly (Roll With Joe-Lovely Lady) with his overpowering win. With morning line co-favorite Travel Playlist scratched sick, the field was cut down to five pacers. But there was no “stoogery” in Joe Larry N Curly’s performance as he was all business, pacing his fastest winning mile ever over a half-mile track.

Leading NYSS driver Jim Morrill Jr. got away third with Joe Larry N Curly as Carlos Danger (Kevin Cummings) cut the quarter in :28.4. But as soon as they passed that station, Morrill pulled the 1-9 favorite and methodically moved to the front by the head of the stretch.

The field remained unchanged until Joes On A Roll (John Cummings Jr.) came first over to challenge the leader at the five-eighths. But before he could mount any kind of serious threat, Morrill popped the ear plugs and then held on tight as Joe Larry N Curly switched into overdrive and paced away from everyone. He came home in a brisk :28 to stop the timer in 1:56.2 and win by four lengths.

After the race, a visibly pleased Morrill said, “I couldn’t be happier with the way he raced. I pulled the plugs at the three-quarters and he took off like a rocket. I should have left them in! He won easy; he was simply awesome.”

It was the third win of the year for Joe Larry N Curly ($2.30) and increased his earnings to $82,794. The colt is trained by Mark Harder, who co-owns him with Joe Jannuzzelli and Dawn Colucci.

In the first division, Red Roll (Roll With Joe-Red Carpet Queen) lit up the tote board after the heavily favored Autotune Hanover was unable to overcome an early miscue.

Red Roll (Kevin Cummings) shot right to the lead as Autotune Hanover (Tyler Buter) had trouble navigating the first turn before making a break. While Cummings piloted the leader to a pedestrian :59.3 half, Buter had settled Autotune Hanover before pulling the colt around gapped horses in an attempt to mount another attack at the front.

After looking rough again in the clubhouse turn, Autotune Hanover made quick work of the backstretch and got within a length of the leader. But after tucking to the pylons behind Red Roll in 1:28.4, Cummings and the leader got away from the pack by three lengths at the head of the lane before getting home victorious in 1:57.2.

“I drove him at Buffalo last month so I knew the horse. I took a shot, went to the front and was able to cut the mile I wanted. He was good the whole race,” said Cummings in the winner’s circle.

Overlooked in the betting, Red Roll returned a healthy $23.00 for the win.

It was the first win of the year for Red Roll and thus also his lifetime mark. Despite only one win so far, the horse has not missed a check in NYSS action all year and that has put his earnings at $59,117. Red Roll is trained by Judy Blaun for owner John Sixt.

There were also two divisions of the NYSS Excelsior “A” series on the card.

The first $15,000 division was won by 1-9 favorite Craftship (Art Major-Capri Hanover), who was driven by Morrill. Craftship ($2.20) is trained by Tony Alagna for owners Crawford Partners, J Fodera N M Frank Stable, Joe Sbrocco and Craig Henderson.

The second $15,000 split was won by KJ Erich (Roll With Joe-Michelle’s Scooter) in 1:59.2. The colt was driven by John Cummings Jr. for trainer Gary Messenger. KJ Erich ($7.20) is owned by Scott Woogen, Brenda Messenger and Phillip Shapiro.

Morrill was as hot as the western New York weather Sunday, winning five of the 12 races on the card. He scored with the aforementioned Craftship ($2.20) and Joe Larry N Curly ($2.30) as well as Lucky Pablo ($7.40), If It Rains ($2.90) and Zipnthruthehall ($2.60).

Morrill is currently the third leading driver in North America for UDR with a .383, only .002 behind second place George Napolitano Jr. He is 14th in North America in earnings with $3,123,201, but number one in NYSS competition with $920,602, more than three times his nearest competitor.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 12) at 6:35 p.m.