by Dana Bojarski
Batavia, NY — Jim Morrill Jr. won seven out of his nine drives, including all three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs Casino on Friday night. The record for most wins on one card at Batavia is 8 held by Morrill and John Cummings Jr.
Paul White photo
NYSS winner New Album was one of seven winners on the card for driver Jim Morrill Jr.</TD
In the first $47,491 division, Miss Annie J (Bettor`s Delight – Musical Dreamer) broke stride shortly after leaving the gate, but caught up quickly and bolted outside to take the lead by the half mile marker in :57.3. She continued on to finish first in 1:55 by 2-3/4 lengths.
Busybeingfabulous (Greg Merton) was second and Diana Blue Chip (Ray Fisher Jr.) finished third. Miss Annie J is owned by Ken Jacobs of Baldwinsville, NY and trained by Linda Toscano. Speaking about her break Morrill stated “I was looking at her lines (in the program) and she had shown doing that a couple races down so I was just going out easy. I was going to wait for her to settle, but I didn’t expect that. It kind of surprised me.”
In the next $47,491 division, Tea Party Princess (Art Major – Hannah Banana), who had not raced in 28 days, came out in top form, winning by two lengths and establishing a new track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Asteria Blue Chip (Jordan Stratton) charged out of the gate while Tea Party Princess settled in fourth at the quarter. Morrill pulled out before they hit the stretch the first time and flew past the field around the clubhouse turn, taking the lead at the three quarters in 1:24.4. From there she cruised home untested, winning in 1:53.2 The victory brought her lifetime earnings to $177, 037 for owner Brad Gray of Dundas, Ontario. Tea Party Princess is trained by David Menary. Alexachase (Greg Merton) drafted in for second and Asteria Blue Chip hung on for third.
The new track record lasted for all of one race as New Album (Western Terror – Always Remember) smoked the field in the third and final $46,591 leg. City Delight (Jack Flanigen) took the early lead and was backing into the field approaching the quarter. Morrill pulled out and roared to the lead in :28 flat. From that point on, she was unchallenged and the only matter of concern was speed. New Album finished the race in 1:52.4, another new track record. Her lifetime winnings reached $279,990 with this win. She is owned by Jeffrey Bamond, Baron Racing Stable and Mark Kesmodel, who also trains the filly. Mystical Gypsy (Greg Merton) was a fast closing second and All About Kisses (Stephane Bouchard) was the best of the rest.
Morrill said “She’s a serious filly. She just raced five days ago; she’s a keeper. She likes what she does. She’s not the prettiest thing but she gives you 100%. I like her.”
The former track record at Batavia Downs for three year pacing fillies was set by Isabella Blue Chip (1.54.1) in 2007. New Albums time of 1:52.4 is only 4/5th’s of a second off the all-time, all age track record of 1:52 flat set be Kenneth J.
The victories tonight by Miss Annie J, Tea Party Princess, and New Album were all the fastest win times any have ever registered on a half-mile track.
Jim Morrill Jr.’s night of successes also included the second race with White Jade (2.70), the sixth with Hello Carlo (3.00), the tenth with Izzy (2.70), and the twelfth with Grayland Becky (3.00).