by Shawn F. Wiles, for Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Not a stranger to multiple wins on a race card, Jimmy Morrill Jr. owned the afternoon on Monday (June 8) at Monticello Raceway after posting four wins on the card, three of which were in New York Sire Stakes events.

In the first Sire Stakes division of the day, race one, worth $29,850, last year’s Night of Champions 2-year-old colt pace winner Cartoon Daddy left strong for the lead. He relinquished the front past the quarter in :28.3 to A Bettor Hat who took them past the half in :57.2.

Americanprimetime was sitting third at the five-eighths marker when driver Jason Bartlett put him on the move. A spirited stretch drive ensued as Americanprimetime edged A Bettor Hat in 1:54.2 by a scant neck. The winner is trained by Rick Dane Jr. for owners Rock And Roll Stable Inc.

Geri Schwarz photo

J Eagle Feather was one of four winners on the card for driver Jimmy Morrill Jr.

The second division (race five) saw J Eagle Feather score a wire-to-win over the pocket sitting Soto, giving Morrill his second win of the young afternoon in 1:54.3. Finishing third was Lone Survivor. J Eagle Feather, a son of Bettor’s Delight, is trained by Linda Toscano. His win was his second consecutive in Sire Stake company.

Race eight was the third division. K Ryan Bluechip started from the rail after an impressive win last week at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 1:50.3.

K-Rock and National Seelster blasted off the gate, as National Seelster wrestled control at the quarter-mile and led the rest of the way. King Of Delight, driven by Scot Zeron, mounted a threat in the paddock turn. K-Rock sat in the garden spot the entire mile, in perfect striking distance heading in the stretch, and dived into the passing lane but to no avail as he was unable to catch National Seelster who won by a neck in 1:54.4. The son of Bettor’s Delight was driven by Jim Morrill Jr. for trainer Chris Ryder.

Race 13 saw a seven-horse field race in post position order until just past the half when the outer tier started to unfold. Scott Zeron pulled Artistic Major first over and was at the back of My Spirit Soars but was never able to make up any ground as Jimmy Morrill Jr. won his fourth race of the afternoon in 1:54.1.

After the race in the winner’s circle when congratulated on his fourth win of the afternoon, Jimmy said, “I should have won the other Sire Stakes event also, I just got beat!”

The most impressive race of the day came in the last race, an Excelsior A division. as John Butenschoen’s son of Art Major, Gold Coast Muscle, went down the road. He put the sleeper move on the field with a pair of middle quarters of :28 and took them past the three-quarters in 1:24.1 to win easily in the day’s fastest mile, 1:53, by open lengths.

Longtime New York owner and patron of the sport Ken Jacobs had two winners on the day.

In other action, Division A winners were Major Camby (Jim Marohn Jr.-1:56), American Cross Road (Matt Kakaley–1:56.1 by eight lengths), and Nobettorplacetobe (John Cummings Jr.-1:54.4). The Excelsior B series winners were Simon Said (Jim Morrill Jr.-1:56) and Tarport Andy (Jim Devaux-1:57.2).

Monticello Raceway continues to have strong support from the betting public as $761,000 was wagered on the card for a $53,357 average per race.